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.
Early Reviews Are In: Chicago's New Transit App Makes it Easy to Pay the Fare
The Ventra app hits the streets—or the tracks, perhaps—this week. Steven Vance of Streetsblog Chicago has already tested the new tool.
How to Prevent Hackers from Infiltrating the 'Internet of Cars'?
Which should we trust to insulate connected cars from the threat of hackers: private companies or government regulation?

Friday Eye Candy: A New Cultural Atlas of Portland
"Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas" exemplifies the powers of maps to reshape and redefine our communities. Just watch how they can change expectations about the culture of the city infamously known as "Portlandia."

Meow We're Talking: Ranking Cities by Number of Cat Ladies
Nielsen Scarborough released new market data this week that revealed the cities with the highest percentage of single women who live along with at least one cat.
Revealed: A Splashy New Master Plan for Former Civic Arena Site in Pittsburgh
One of the country's most beautiful cities could get a dramatic new development project, calling on the design talents of Bjarke Ingels Group.