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.

Study: E-Bikes Could Be Transportation Game Changers
A recent study out of Europe reveals the potential of electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) to transition mobility away from cars.

UrbanPlan Program Aims to Inspire a More Diverse Generation of Planners
An Urban Land Institute program brings students into the discussion and gives them the tools to make a difference in the planning processes that define their communities.

Los Angeles County Sets 2050 Carbon Neutrality Target
Land use and transportation planning will play key roles in an effort by Los Angeles County to achieve carbon neutrality in 30 years.

Level of Service Canceled in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles City Council voted to officially end the use of Level of Service in measuring environmental impact in favor of a more people-friendly measure: vehicle miles traveled.

Walking Directions, Assisted by Augmented Reality
Augmented reality could boost safety for pedestrians, or it could add another layer of distraction between people and the real world.