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.
City Streets Signed Over to a Developer in Downtown Atlanta
In a move that will enable the $350 million redevelopment of Underground Atlanta, the city has agreed to hand over ownership and control of public streets to the developer.

Looking for Concrete Goals in Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan Update
With the plan update process for Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan underway, one writer wonders why the plan is setting firmer goals for increased mode share.
The Anaheim Streetcar Project Is Officially Off the Table
A new City Council has ushered in a new agenda for the city of Anaheim. Not on that agenda is a controversial proposal for a streetcar connecting Disneyland, the city's convention center, and the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.

Checking in on Two of de Blasio's Big Transportation Promises
Mayor Bill de Blasio made a couple of promises about new the transportation technology that would be available to New Yorkers in 2016. The results of those promises reveal good news for drivers and some bad news for bus riders.

Inclusionary Zoning Now the Law in Portland, Oregon
Portland's new inclusionary zoning policy will go into effect in February.