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.

31-Mile Trail Planned for an Atlanta Suburb
The city of Sandy Springs is pleased to note that the planned Sandy Springs Trail will be ten miles longer than the Atlanta Beltline when complete.

A Surprising Lack of Geographic Knowledge
Have you ever heard of the Salish Sea? Neither have most of the people who live near it, in cities named Seattle and Vancouver.

A New, Old Transit Station in Philadelphia
Planners in Philadelphia believe that the Franklin Square Station will achieve higher ridership figures than when the station closed 40 years ago, thanks to numerous large developments in the area.

Where Pedestrians Feel Invisible to Drivers
A call for more advocacy by citizens and more action cities in the name of cautious driving and pedestrian safety.

Local Leaders Press Massachusetts for New Sources of Transportation Funding
Three separate coalitions of local mayors, each from different corners of Eastern Massachusetts, want to the commonwealth to prioritize transportation funding. Some even called for a 15-cent increase to the gas tax.