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.
Investigation Reveals the Failures of 'Clean Coal'
As the federal government sends massive subsidies to encourage so-called clean coal technology, coal-burning power plants aren't sending less pollution into the air and into the earth.
Improved Service Speeds Up Buses, Increases Ridership
The data on select bus service (SBS) in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus system are definitive: with off-board payment and bus-only lanes, buses perform better and attract more riders.
How Montgomery County Will Implement its Ambitious Bicycle Master Plan
Montgomery County, Maryland planners were trying to raise the bar for bicycle infrastructure planning and design in North America.
Never Built Boston
Massive projects stayed a dream in 20th century Boston. Lessons from the failed ideas of the past inform a more complete understanding of the city in the 21st century.
New Orleans Wants to Loosen Zoning Restrictions in the Lower 9th Ward
New Orleans could make it easier to build new homes on small lots in the struggling Lower 9th Ward.