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.
'Bridge-Gate' Attorneys Make Their Case: You Can't Sue Over Traffic
Attorneys representing the state of New Jersey responded to the allegations of a class action lawsuit rising from the "bridge-gate" scandal.
One Geologist Predicted Floods in St. Louis Months Before They Struck
Hindsight is 20-20, but so too sometimes is the foresight of geologists. That was the case prior to the flooding that struck St. Louis this December.
Alarm Bells Sounded for New York City Housing Authority's Emergency Preparedness
While much of New York City is actively planning and designing resilience into its systems, a city audit pulled all the alarms in its assessment of the New York City Housing Authority's emergency preparedness.

Coming Attractions in Transportation Infrastructure
A look ahead at what is shaping up to be a very eventful year in the world of transportation.
Fixing Seattle's Most Dangerous Road
In-depth coverage of the improvement efforts underway on Seattle's Rainier Avenue.