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.
Record Year Concludes for Utility-Scale Solar
With the energy generating business in upheaval, utility-scale solar energy projects have done well since 2009, culminating in a record year for installation in 2013.
P3 to Repair 500 Bridges in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania P3 Act was approved in 2012 to help fund the cost of repairing and maintaining the state’s structurally deficient bridges. PennDOT has recently expanded its goals for the program—to 500 bridge repair projects.
The Demographic Trends That Will Change Planning
The work of Professor Arthur C. Nelson from the University of Utah in projecting demographic and real estate trends contains some critical insight for planners looking to prepare the way for the cities and towns of the future.
Federal ‘Fishery Disaster’ Declared in Washington State
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has declared the Fraser River sockeye salmon run a “fishery disaster.” The declaration will produce funding to offset the impacts for nine tribes and non-tribal fishers in Washington state.
Charlotte Bets On Federal Funding for Streetcar
The Charlotte City Council approved $12 million in engineering work for a proposed 2.5-mile streetcar extension. The city hopes the investment will help it win federal funds for the $126 million project.