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.

The Big Challenge for Driverless Cars: Convincing People to Give Up Control
The latest episode of TransitTrends, a serial YouTube show by moovel, examines the question of whether or not we're ready for autonomous vehicles.

Dallas Mixes Residential Development With a Road Diet, Gets Controversy
The Dallas City Council approved a road diet for Knox Street in Dallas, where 1,000 residential units are under construction on an already thriving commercial corridor.

L.A. City Council Chooses Legal Limbo for Accessory Dwelling Units
Faced with the task of conforming its "granny flats" ordinance with state law, the Los Angeles City Council yielded.

South Jersey Suburb Seeks Redevelopment, Attracts Controversy
The controversies emerging from Cherry Hill, New Jersey will likely strike a familiar chord for many Americans.

The Mayor of Boston Suggests a List of Planning Books to Prepare for 'Boston 2030'
What better way to prepare for the city of Boston's first comprehensive planning process in over 50 years that a list of some of the best books on the subject of planning?