James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
Where Transit Investment Costs the Most Per Capita
For all the attention paid the transit investments of cities like New York City and Los Angeles, it's actually cities like Seattle and Denver spending the most per capita on capital investments in transit.
London Mayor: Cars Shouldn't Be Allowed Near Schools
The mayor of London thinks ignoring the dangers of pollution from cars today is just as bad as ignoring the dangers of smoking was 50 years ago.
China Still Lacking Property Taxes
A growing movement to implement a nationwide property tax in China is meeting resistance from the rich and powerful.
Whitewater Park Snafu Leads to Legal Conflicts on Dallas' Trinity River
A seemingly innocuous idea for water recreation has turned into a legal headache for the city of Dallas. Still, the Army Corps of Engineers isn't budging on its declaration of the river as navigable.
Should People Who Bike Pay Their Own Way, and How?
A common refrain among politicians who oppose bike infrastructure investments is that people who bike don't pay for those projects. What's a bike advocate to do?