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How cities can drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens
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Urban Reform Institute is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization
that exists to promote approaches that enable cities to
drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens.
The Tech Economy’s Untold Story
in Economics, Suburbs, Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkinby Joel Kotkin — Trends in tech economy job creation are not nearly as favorable to the “superstars” as some urbanists imagine. If one looks at data, a more nuanced picture emerges…
Metro’s Big Plan Spends Too Much on Light Rail, But Moves in the Right Direction
in Planning, Suburbs, Urban Issues/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — METRO recently released a draft $7.5 billion 2040 transit plan they’ve labeled “A Plus” (the previous “A” plan plus some additions), but unfortunately it’s more like a B- when it comes to addressing Houston’s real transportation needs over the next two decades.
Beyond Gentrification: Towards More Equitable Urban Growth
in Reports, Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkin and Wendell CoxSince the 1970s, many core cities have experienced real turnarounds, particularly in the urban centers of our largest metro areas. Yet gentrification has often operated to the detriment of the original residents whose neighborhoods have been transformed.
The High Residential Densities of California (and “Wild Wild” Texas)
in Housing, Urban Issues/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — Despite their reputation for urban sprawl, the metropolitan areas of Texas have comparatively high residential densities, while the Los Angeles urban area is actually 30 percent denser, with much smaller lots than the New York metro area.
Suburbs and Exurbs Dominate Mid-Decade Millennial Growth
in Suburbs/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — America’s suburbs and exurbs continue to dominate population growth among post-college Millennials, those aged 25 to 34 in the 53 major metropolitan areas.
Transportation Future: From Freeways to Scooters, Transit Will Get Disrupted
in Planning, Urban Issues/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — In most ways, 2020 transportation in Houston will only be incrementally different from today: completion of the U.S. 290 expansion, new toll lanes on the Texas 288, the extension of the Texas 249 toll road beyond Tomball toward College Station, the next segments of the Grand Parkway 170-mile mega-loop.
California Out-Migration Intensifies, Population Moves South
in Demographics, Urban Issues/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — The new Census Bureau population estimates for the states have been released. The nation has experienced its slowest growth since 1938, adding only 0.6 percent to the population between 2017 and 2018…
Suburbs and Exurbs Continue to Dominate Metropolitan Growth at Mid-Decade
in Demographics/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — America’s suburbs and exurbs continue to receive the most population growth among the 53 major metropolitan areas. This is indicated by data in the just released 2013-2017 American Community Survey (ACS)…
2018 Standard of Living Index
in Economics, Housing, Reports/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — The Center for Urban Opportunity (COU) has developed a measure (the “COU Standard of Living Index”) that estimates the purchasing power of real average pay in metropolitan areas compared to that of the average employee who moves to a new residence.
Highest 2016 Home Ownership Rate in Grand rapids, Los Angeles Last
in Economics, Housing, Urban Issues/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — Home ownership is finally increasing in the United States, following the housing bust.