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.

House Legislation to Fund Vision Zero Investments Proposed
Long-time bike and pedestrian safety champion Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) is among the authors of a new bill to provide federal funding for Vision Zero projects.

Covington's New Neighborhood Development Code Wants to Ease Development, Protect Charm
Covington, Kentucky is seeking feedback from the public on a new zoning code after 18 months of work.

Home Prices Grows as Inventories Tighten in Detroit
The housing market in Detroit reflects a strong economy and low mortgage rates.

Robert Moses Inspires 'Motherless Brooklyn'
A new movie starring Edward Norton, based on the novel of the same name by Lionel Essrog, gives a central role to a Robert Moses doppelgänger, as portrayed by Alec Baldwin.

Study: Sprawl Costs Local Governments More
Even when fewer people live in sprawling suburban communities than dense urban communities, one of these settlement types has the benefit of being much cheaper to serve.