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.

Subway Ridership on a Post-Omicron Rebound in New York City
Checking in with the New York transit system amid a period of relative recovery.

Pressing Pause on Development in the Shadow of Austin's Growth
The Dripping Springs City Council points to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and the need to update its comprehensive plan as reasons for the city's development moratorium.

Legislation Would Limit Solar Power Installation on Agricultural Land in Iowa
If SF 2171 wins approval in the Iowa State Legislature, solar will have a limited number of options for installation on agricultural land.

Stimulus Funds Not Enough to Guarantee Transit's Future in D.C. and L.A.
In statements that echo the alarm of March 2020, transit officials in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. recently announced plans to reduce transit service.

A Vacancy Tax for San Francisco? Voters Might Have a Say.
A San Francisco politician is pushing for a vacant home tax to appear on the November ballot.