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.
Opinion: Houston Should Vote Yes for MetroNext to Build Transit and Clean the Air
The executive director of Environment Texas makes the case for public transit as a key tool in improving air pollution in and around Houston. Houston voters will vote on the MetroNext bond referendum today.
Unleashing the Food Vendors in New York
Newly proposed legislation in the New York State Senate would bar cities from setting limits on the number of food vendors operating in the public realm.
Seattle Leads the Nation in Reducing Car Ownership
Seattle has achieved unparalleled success in allowing residents the option to choose not to own a car.
Apple Pledges $2.5 Billion for Housing Affordability
It's been a big year for tech giants pledging money to mitigate the affordability crisis in the regions and cities they call home. Apple joins a club that includes Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.
Worst Transit Riders, Ranked
The ongoing effort to rid transit systems of riders incapable of living by the Golden Rule continues in Boston, written by a columnist with an obvious case of the Mondays.