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.

Virgin Trains, Formerly Brightline, Planning Eight Expansion Corridors
November's bombshell news about the partnership between Virgin and Brightline has now yielded ambitious plans for private investment in intercity rail service.

Video: How to Give Your Bus System a BRT Makeover
Streetfilms explores the efforts of cities in the Boston region tp redesign bus operations.

How Residential Architecture Got So Cookie Cutter
While it's fun to tease about the architectural shortcomings of most newly constructed urban residential buildings in the United States, the causes of its ubiquitous sameness reveals the depths of the country's housing crisis.

Updated: Last Minute Opposition to Minneapolis 2040 From Environmental Groups
A coalition of opposition groups claims that density is bad for the environment, and that the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan should be stopped.

Citi Bike Expansion Coming, Along With a Political Battle Over Electric-Assist Bikes and Scooters
Citi Bike's new owner is funding a massive expansion of the bike share system. Meanwhile ,City Hall is prepping for a battle over electric assist bikes and scooters.