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.

Georgia's $11 Billion Road-Building Program Evolves
Recently announced changes to a massive road-building program in Georgia will shift moves projects aimed at improvements for the trucking industry earlier onto the calendar, while pushing back projects located closer to Atlanta.

Effect of Portland's 'Better Housing by Design' Package Depends on Parking Reforms
The difference between a proposed RM2 zoning designation with off-street parking requirements, versus with the parking requirements is massive, according to this article.

Where to Find the 'Opportunity Bargains' of Economic and Social Mobility
A few blue-collar cities proximate to Boston offer case studies of the "opportunity bargains" identified in the 2018 Opportunity Atlas published by Harvard and Brown universities an the U.S. Census.

Crooked Lombard Street Won't Be Tolled After All
Another of the surprising roster of vetoes by California Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend includes a bill that would have set limitations for traffic on San Francisco's Lombard Street.

Reducing Parking Requirements for Huge, Regional Malls
Fairfax County, Virginia is considering a change to its parking requirements that would lower the number of parking spots at large malls like Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.