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.

Paradise Was Prepared for the Camp Fire, Report Says. It Wasn't Enough.
Sobering findings from a thorough examination of the causes of the 2018 Camp Fire.

Proposed $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Includes $30 Billion Each for Transit and Rent Relief
Democrats in Congress are moving forward with a massive COVID stimulus package—with or without Republicans.

TxDOT Approves I-45 Widening Despite Local Opposition
Despite every manner of local opposition, the Texas Department of Transportation is pushing forward with a plan to widen Interstate 45 north of the city of Houston, demolishing and displacing thousands of homes, businesses, and community facilities.

Double-Digit Housing Price Increases Tied to Supply Imbalance in Denver
Expensive homes dominated the metro Denver real estate market in 2020.

Federal Review of High-Speed Maglev Train Between D.C. and Baltimore Nearing the Finish Line
The Federal Railroad Administration recently released a preliminary study of a proposed high-speed maglev train route between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.