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.

U.S. Air Quality Declining, Taking Lives
Particulate matter air pollution has been on the rise since 2017, according to new research. Wildfires, economic activity, and lax regulation are potentially to blame.

Traffic Fatalities Declining, But Not for Pedestrians and People on Bikes
After several years of increasing traffic fatalities, the total numbers of people killed by cars every year in the United States is finally declining. The same can't be said for pedestrians and people on bikes.

Costs of Seattle's 'Safe Lot' for Homeless in Cars Questioned
The city has proposed a "safe lot" for homeless residents living out of their cars, but the cost could run above $1,000 a person.

How Parking Reform Could Relieve the Housing Crisis
The benefits of equitable mobility policy will extend to equitable housing outcomes, according to this article published by Sidewalk Labs.

Another Pedestrian Bridge Connecting to a Professional Sports Stadium in Atlanta
The city of Smyrna wants to benefit from the $1 billion in investment coming to the area around SunTrust Park in Cobb County, Georgia, so it's helping pay for a pedestrian bridge to connect to the ballpark.