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.

A Clever Way to End Cigarette Litter
Chicago smokers will soon be able to vote on matters of pop culture importance with their butts.

Jan Gehl on the Politics of Transforming Cities
Advancing the politics of public transportation and public spaces is not easy. Danish architect Jan Gehl and his firm Gehl Architects, however, have a track record of success with cities around the world.

New Jersey Transit Board Hasn't Met in Over 100 Days
There's a major transportation showdown underway in New Jersey, but that doesn't excuse the New Jersey Transit Board from holding public meetings.

New York Ponders How to Stop Cars from Parking in Bike Lanes
You can write all the tickets in the world but you can't stop drivers from parking in bike lanes.

Form Based Codes: Nashville Provides a Model for Charlottesville's Process
As Charlottesville, Virginia considers a new form-based code, the city of Nashville offers explanations and examples of the concept in action.