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.
Record Numbers of Riders Took to Rail in Chicago in 2015
The Chicago Transit Authority has something to celebrate as it tries to dig itself out of a budgetary hole.
Massachusetts Considers Raising Its $1 Jaywalking Fine
There are a few reasons one should exercise caution while crossing the street illegally. In Massachusetts, fear of a fine is not one of them.
Friday Funny: Video Game Allows Players to Deface an Icon of Modernism
An online video game has the perfect remedy for anyone who hates modernism—and Le Corbusier more specifically.
A Drill Not Named Bertha Got Stuck in Seattle
A drill named Pamela, tasked with digging the tunnel for the Sound Transit light rail extension from Husky Stadium to Northgate, was stuck in the dirt under Seattle for several months.
Los Angeles Passes Sweeping Homeless Plans—Funding Still Needed
The easy part for politicians at both the city and the county of Los Angeles is over. Funding their plans to improve services for the homeless will be the hard part.