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.

AI and the Digital City
Adie Tomer, of the Brookings Institution, writes about the role of artificial intelligence in the new digital age transforming cities.

Congestion Pricing Gains Traction in Seattle
Congestion pricing is a popular subject of conversation in Seattle, even if the idea hasn't yet proven popular with voters. The city is looking for ways to lead on climate change by reducing emissions from transportation.

TxDOT Could Spend $600 Million to Improve Highway Safety
Texas leads the nation in automobile-related deaths, and the state is considering spend a large amount of money to lower the number of fatalities on the state's highways.

YIMBY Housing Policies Gain Support Among Democratic Candidates for President
A growing chorus of candidates seeking to challenge Donald Trump in 2020 are voicing support for the idea of relaxing zoning and land use restrictions to encourage the development of more housing supply in expensive U.S. cities.

Riders Can Finally Tap Into the New York Subway
Other cities already have transit systems that allow riders through fare gates with the tap of a card, or even a phone. Now the most expansive subway system in the United States is joining the club.