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.

Atlanta Opens First Phase of the Massive Westside Park This Week
The Westside Park in Atlanta will eventually grow to 280 acres and become the largest park in Atlanta.

U.S. Rent Debt Estimated at More Than $21 Billion
The National Equity Atlas has been tracking national rent debt, which takes on new meaning since the federal eviction moratorium expired at the end of July.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Heads to the House: Details and Reactions From the Planning World
Planetizen gathered explainer posts and advocacy responses that continue to shine a light on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, approved by the U.S. Senate earlier this month.

Post-Pandemic Traffic: Easier Morning Commutes, Heading for Afternoon 'Peak Spreading'
The Boston Globe recently published an analysis of Boston-area traffic through the pandemic, finding that congestion is finally recovering to pre-pandemic levels, but in new patterns.

Can Portland's Bike Boom Outlast the Pandemic?
"Anytime the city does something to dramatically improve streets for people and limit car access...it’s hard to take them back."