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.

World's First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Factory Planned for Michigan
Waymo, not General Motors, is brining automobile manufacturing back to Michigan.

Bus Station Plan Moves Forward Despite Controversy in Roanoke
Angry public outcry wasn't enough to stop the Roanoke City Council from unanimously approving an ambitious transit station reconfiguration in downtown Roanoke.

Behind the Community-Building Mission of the Orton Family Foundation
The work of the Orton Family Foundation provides a leading example of community-driven revitalization at work in small towns all over the country, according to this feature in the Christian Science Monitor.

Regulations on 'Mechanical Voids' in Luxury Residential Towers Coming Soon to NYC
The city is responding to controversies surrounding building practices that boost heights of luxury residential towers, while leaving big sections of the buildings empty.

Property Tax Relief on the Table for Pittsburgh's Developing Neighborhoods
Pittsburgh is considering a gentrification and displacement prevention measure for longtime residents of rapidly changing neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh.