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.
TransitLink to Use $440 Million Real Estate Windfall to Fund Transit Projects
A transit funding formula, courtesy of Vancouver, British Columbia: Sell 13.8-acre property for $440 million; use cash to finance transit improvements.
Benefits Harder to Recognize as Costs to Widen the I-405 Rise
Was the I-405 widening project worth it for Los Angeles? Depends on whom you ask.
Lead Poisoning Found in Thousands of U.S. Communities
A Reuters study of public health data found 3,000 examples in the United States where lead poisoning rates exceed those in Flint, Michigan.
Transforming Vacant Properties Into Creative Hubs for Communities
The Renewal Project examines the work of the House Life Project in Indianapolis.
Philanthropy Key for Separate Bikes and Peds on Chicago's Lakefront Trail
A $12 million gift from a local billionaire will enable a project to give separate access for bike and pedestrians on the popular Lakefront Trail.