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.

Pennsylvania Legislators Propose New Commercial Development in State Parks
A pair of legislative proposals in the Pennsylvania State Legislature would open the door to private development in the state park system.

Another Anti-Development Measure to Face Voters in Southern California
This time, the scene of the anti-development ire is Santa Monica, where local advocates have qualified for the November ballot on initiative requiring a vote for any project building beyond the zoning code.

Meet the New Generation of Trains Built for Florida's Brightline
Wired takes a tour of a Siemens factory in California tasked with the task of building the rolling stock for the forthcoming, privately-funded Brightline train line in Florida.
Ride-Hailing Services for Women, By Women
A new kind of transportation network company is offering peace of mind for female travelers.

Disneyland Wants a $200 Million Tax Break for a New Hotel
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait says there is no legitimate reason to give Disney the tax break.