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.

While Ridership Plummets, Transit Fixes Are Slow to Materialize in Philadelphia
The list of challenges facing transit agencies like the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is long. The list of feasible projects that can deliver solutions is much shorter.

Planning for 1.8 Million New Residents Around Puget Sound
The state of Washington's 1990 Growth Management Act requires regions to create long-range growth plans. The Puget Sound Region Council is currently working on its latest iteration of the plan.

A $500 Million Affordable Housing Plan for Nashville
Nashville Mayor David Briley this week launched the most ambitious affordable housing program in the city's lengthy history.
Seattle Cancels Bike Lane Plans
Bike advocates are starting to worry about Mayor Jenny Durkan's lack of a track record in building new bike infrastructure.

Cincinnati Ponders Short-Term Rental Regulations
Controversies short-circuited similar legislation in 2018, but the Cincinnati City Council is taking up the issues surrounding short-term rentals again this year.