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.
Rerouting the Southwest Light Rail Debate in Minneapolis
The planned Southwest LRT connection between Minneapolis and St. Louis Park is troubled by controversy and a ballooning costs. One writer recently tried to redirect the conversation about the light rail line.
The Elements and Benefits of the Protected Intersection
A Dutch design for a protected intersection goes beyond the "mixing zone" to create safer multi-modal conditions in intersections on streets that include protected bike lanes. Do you think it will work?
Gentrification as Public Health Risk
Research around the United States has found gentrification to produce public health risks. Will lessons from Oakland and New York City be enough for a rapidly gentrifying city like St. Louis to escape poor public health outcomes?
Transportation Champion Jim Oberstar Dies at 79
Jim Oberstar was elected 18 times to Congress, serving Minnesota's 8th Congressional District from 1975 to 2011. He died suddenly in his sleep on Saturday, May 3, 2014.
Los Angeles' 'Premier Complete Street' Clears Final Hurdle
The MyFigueroa project, long-delayed and almost-dead on more than one occasion, will move ahead free of local opposition. The project, which includes the city's first separated cycle track, will become Los Angeles' "premier complete street."