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.
It's Raining Data in California's Water Agencies
Open data could be a powerful tool for understanding and managing drought conditions in California, and the state is preparing to release an initial 20 datasets with plans for more.
When Terrorists Attack Transit
The city of New York responded to Tuesday terror attacks in Brussels by increasing security a frequent target of terrorists: transit stations.
Op-Ed: Prohibit Right Turns on Red Lights
A writer suggests an end for one of the many conveniences available to drivers: the right turn on a red light.
MARTA Expansion Back From the Dead in Atlanta
A half-cent sales tax to fund an expansion of MARTA has been paired back to $2.5 billion and the city limits of Atlanta instead of $8 billion for the region, but Atlanta voters will have a chance to decide on the new tax despite its near demise.
When 'Bus Rapid Transit' Slows Buses, Portland Goes Back to the Drawing Board
Michael Andersen reports on the evolving Powell-Division Transit and Development Project, recently revealed to fall short of its intended goal to speed up bus service in the planning area.