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.

Texans to Vote on Flood Control Funding, Property Tax Breaks in Disaster Areas
The fingerprint of Hurricane Harvey and recurring flooding events around the state are evident in the statewide election in Texas on November 5, 2019.

From Parking Lot to Urban Green Space
The first of four new parks opening in Dallas in the next few years opened earlier this month—Pacific Plaza park.

San Diego Parking Reform Wins the Day With the California Coastal Commission
The California Coastal Commission could have overturned part of San Diego's ambitious parking reform policy approved earlier this year, and would have if commission staff had won their arguments.

L.A.'s Blue Line Reopening Soon, With a New Name
The Blue Line light rail line, connecting Los Angeles and Long Beach, is almost finished with a $350 million repair program. When it reopens to service it will be called the A Line.

Development Depleting Groundwater in Arizona
A new report identifies looming challenges with the water supply enabling growth in Central Arizona suburbs.