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.

APA Opposes Withdrawal From the Paris Climate Agreement
The American Planning Association is urging the Trump administration to rescind its decision to withdraw the country from the Paris Climate Agreement.

New SFMTA Director Hired From Nelson\Nygaard
Transit advocates in California this week celebrated the hire of Jeffrey Tumlin, previously a principal with transportation consultant Nelson\Nygaard, as the new director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Transportation Planning Reshuffled in Atlanta
The new Atlanta Department of Transportation has a new strategic plan, a new commissioner, and a whole lot of high hopes to live up to.

Reimagining Infrastructure
An ambitious and innovative infrastructure program can multiply benefits for cities willing to take bold steps.

Seattle Emerges From Tolled Tunnel Unscathed
Promises of congestion and thousands of cars spilling on to quiet residential streets proved unfounded after the first week with tolls on the Highway 91 tunnel in Seattle.