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.

The Devil's in the Details for Houston's Hobby Line Light Rail Planning
Several alternative routes are still under consideration for a planned light rail route included in Houston's METRONext long-range transit plan, in progress ahead of a vote by residents in November.

For Lack of Free Parking, Downtown San Jose Loses a Grocery Store
Why isn't there a place for a major grocery store brand in the downtown of one of the most economically active cities in the country?

New Bus Rapid Transit Line Launches in Minneapolis
The C Line bus rapid transit line opens in Minneapolis as the state of Minnesota wavers in its funding of mass transit projects.

Friday Funny: Scathing Satire of Anti-Development Rants at Public Hearings
A new satirical essay for McSweeney's provides a template for NIMBY opposition to planning and development, and does not pull any punches in the process.

Montreal Rolling Out Ambitious Expansion of its Bicycle Lane Network
Five new bike lanes will create the new Express Bicycle Network in Montreal.