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 Consequences of Trump's Attempt to Reduce Bears Ears National Monument by 85 Percent
Drone footage and 3d models reveal the stakes in an ongoing legal controversy surrounding the Trump administration's attempt to undo the Obama administration's use of the Antiquities Act to create the Bears Ears National Monument.

Voters Could Decide if Denver Gets a New Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Denver is considering a new city department in response to concerns expressed by bike and pedestrian advocates about the implementation of long-term plans.

An Illustrated Explanation of the Crisis in Recycling
A global shift in the market has upended the recycling industry. The story of recycling's past provides direction for the future.

Dire Financial Straits at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, the state Liquid Fuels Tax, state police, municipal finances, public transit—all play a role in Pennsylvania's big transportation funding mess.

The Rural Housing Affordability Crisis
The number of cost-burdened households in rural parts of the United States is increasing quickly.