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.

Short-Term Rental Legalization Hangs on Zoning Changes in D.C.
The D.C. Zoning Commission delayed a decision that would be the final step toward legalizing Airbnb and other short-term rental companies operating in Washington, D.C.

Free 'Test Rides' Win Transit Riders
The "Test Rides" program in Sweden is showing success in getting people to drive less and take transit more.

Editorial: Reform, Don't Ban, Red Light Camera Programs
The Chicago Sun-Times responds to two Illinois state legislators who have recently proposed bills that would ban red light cameras statewide.

Portland Ready to Experiment With New Forms of Road Pricing
A new task force formed in Portland, Oregon will consider ways to make automobile use more expensive, including parking pricing, area and time-based fees, fleet charges, road user charges, cordons, and freeway pricing.

Scooter Rides Aren't So Cheap Anymore
Although electric scooter rental companies won't confirm the reasoning behind price increases for scooter rides in the Washington, D.C. region, it's likely the same story will be repeated in other regions as well.