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.

Army Corps Pulls the Plug on $450 Million Mississippi Floodwater Project
A coalition of environmental scored a victory this month, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers canceled an expensive, and controversial, flood control project.

Denver Says 20 Is Plenty
Denver, dealing with an increase in traffic fatalities during the pandemic, has lowered speed limits on some residential streets. Critics say the new law neglects the most needed traffic safety changes.

Zoning for Marijuana: Retail Not Included
Local municipalities in New Jersey retain local control in response to a state law that legalizes marijuana businesses throughout the state.

Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding Program Set to Launch
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission awarded $1.4 million to the city of Pittsburgh to launch the Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding initiative.

Census: U.S. Population Growing Slower Than Any Point Since the Nation's Founding
The pandemic has added increased mortality to decreasing birth rates and decreasing international immigration.