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.

Elaine Chao Resigns as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation
The fallout from this week's attack on the U.S. Capitol Building includes numerous resignations of top Trump administration officials, including Elaine Chao, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Density Takes Center Stage in the Pandemic, Again
The latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.

Watch: Planning Without Zoning, Explained
Fans of Houston probably won't want to watch this video that calls the Space City a "jumbled up garbage town."

The State of the Micromobility Industry
The North American Bikeshare Association released the first-ever state of the industry report for active forms of micromobility—i.e., bike share and electric scooter rental companies.

Small Cities Relax Accessory Dwelling Units Regulations Too
A city of about 40,000 residents across the Puget Sound from Seattle has relaxed zoning regulations to entice more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.