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.

2019 'Parking Madness' Shows How Much Has Changed
Streetsblog USA's annual showcase of the worst examples of car-oriented land use this year focused on places that had overcome the worst excesses of 20th century planning.

New 20-Year Comprehensive Plan, and More, Approved for Denver
Two big pieces of the Denveright planning process, the Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver, won approval from the Denver City Council earlier this week.

$1.5 Billion in BUILD Grants Funding for Transportation Projects Awarded
The U.S. Department of Transportation has favored grant funding for rural communities under the Trump administration.

NYC Targets Buildings for Massive Emissions Reduction Effort
Last week, the New York City Council approved some of the most substantial climate change legislation to date by a city in the United States—call it the local example of the Green New Deal.

Tax Abatements for Residential Projects Under the Microscope
The Cleveland City Council is considering legislation that would launch a process of re-examining the city's tax abatement program.