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.

Teslas Driving Slowly in a Brightly Lit Tunnel: The Boring Co.'s Las Vegas Debut
The first big operations test for the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is coming during a conference planned for June, but the lights have been turned on and cameras are rolling.

Massive Tejon Ranch Development Paused; Judge Cites Wildfire, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In the works since 1999, the Centennial Project by Tejon Ranch Co. seemed to have cleared its final hurdle in 2018, but a Los Angeles County court ruling has created another hurdle for the sprawling development.

Surprising New Research on Gentrification in Houston
Affluent areas face more demolitions than gentrifying areas in Houston and Harris County, according to the findings of a new report from the Kinder Institute of Urban research.

Fare-Free Transit Gaining Momentum in Virginia
State funding approved in early 2020 and Covid-related service changes are allowing multiple localities to consider a drastic move for public transit: permanent, fare-free bus service.

Federal Government Developing More Foreclosure Protections
Millions of American property owners are behind on mortgage payments and facing the prospect of foreclosure and eviction later this year.