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.
Community Support Lacking for Sound Transit's TOD Plans on Mercer Island
Development connected to a proposed light rail line through Mercer Island—connecting Seattle to the West and Bellevue to the East—has met staunch local opposition.
DDOT's 2015 Goal: Filling Gaps in Bike Infrastructure
The District Department of Transportation's plans for 2015 include closing critical gaps in the District's bike infrastructure network.
Pushing Back on Mayor de Blasio's Ferry Service Idea
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's recently announced an ambitious proposal to expand and extend ferry service around the five boroughs. Although the proposal has inspired support, one blogger offers a strongly dissenting stake.
Can the Growing Risk of Human-Made Earthquakes Be Managed?
A new study aims to broaden the understanding of an increasing number of human-caused earthquakes. Fracking might not be entirely to blame.
Op-Ed: Don't Excuse Displacement when Rationalizing Gentrification
A recent article in Washington City Paper pushes back on the notion that the ill effects of gentrification are overblown. Resurgent cities must, according to the article, find ways to achieve the benefits of gentrification—without the displacement.