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.

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail Proposal Studied
Washington State planners have completed a feasibility study into the proposed East-West Passenger Rail System for Washington State.

How Local Planners Can Lead a Proactive, Aggressive Response to the Pandemic
The novel coronavirus has so far preyed on the most vulnerable in cities, as a result of the planning failures of the previous century. Planners today can take steps to reverse that reality, if they reclaim their historic role.

Marohn: End Single-Family Zoning
A prominent conservative voice in the urban planning debate makes the case for repealing the single-family zoning status quo.

The Post-Pandemic Economy Could Be Dirtier Than Ever
The environmental gains at the beginning of the pandemic were only temporary., and there are signs more signs every day that the economy will be dirtier than ever in the future.

Measuring the Coronavirus Effect on Development in Brooklyn, Queens
Two development markets charged by an early 2000s rezoning will test the reach of the coronavirus in New York City's development market.