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 Demographics of U.S. Transit Ridership
New research from the Pew Research Center provides insight into the people relying on public transit.
Vision for an Urban District Approved for Denver's I-25 and Broadway Area
The Denver City Council approved, with a 13-0 vote, the I-25 and Broadway Station Area Plan.
Purple Line Light Rail Gets Critical Go-Ahead in Maryland
The Purple Line light rail route will connect Bethesda and New Carrollton in Maryland.

Texas School Bans Walking to School
Not only does Bear Branch Elementary School in Magnolia ISD prohibit walking to and from school: Montgomery County constables will arrest scofflaws.
Friday Ear Candy: Mapping the Sound of the City
Chatty Maps break down the sound profile of cities.