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.
Friday Eye Candy: Mapping the Least Dense Places in the U.S.
A map-making effort by The Washington Post's Wonkblog puts the Western United States' population, or lack thereof, in perspective.
Mapping the Best and Worst Places for Rooftop Solar
A new scorecard, called "Freeing the Grid," evaluates states on the incentives they offer homeowners and businesses to install rooftop solar.
Friday Funny: The Infinite New York to Los Angeles Feedback Loop
A satirical New Yorker article nails the perpetual debate between New York and Los Angeles.
Op-Ed Warns of Grave Threats to the California Coastal Act
One of the most powerful agents of environmental protection in the state of California is faced with what some believe is an existential threat.
Missouri Still Searching for Transportation Funding Answers
New leadership at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is redoubling efforts to find new sources of revenue for the state's transportation funding deficit.