New Book: Houston as the Bold Case Against Zoning
A new book by M. Nolan Gray cites the Houston city model makes a bold case against zoning.
Entries by Tory Gattis
Comparing the Inflating Costs of Houston Highways vs. Transit
Inflation is causing huge cost increases for all types of infrastructure projects; this week we compare Houston highway vs. transit cost inflation.
The Death of Texas High-Speed Rail
The death of Texas high-speed rail looks imminent based on the recent news of the CEO’s departure, but the economics never made sense unless Japan was willing to heavily subsidize the program in order to show off their trains in America (hoping for future sales).
Post HTX Diversity, Housing Costs Hurt Education and more
by Tory Gattis — Big increases in housing costs since 2000 have likely eaten most of the wage premium return from getting a college education, reducing the incentive to invest in education.
Solving the Housing Shortage, and Houston Popular for Relocation
by Tory Gattis — Wall Street Journal finds that the housing shortage is caused by a combination of zoning and financing rules and supply-chain constraints.
Metro’s Inner Katy BRT Plan, and Urban Exodus Trend
by Tory Gattis — Metro’s Inner Katy BRT plan looks good except for TXDoT’s duplicative plans for vehicle traffic lanes to replace lost access to existing HOV lanes. And, the urban exodus continues.
Houston’s Mini-Kaihatsu, Sinking False Alarm, and more
by Tory Gattis — Houston’s reported rate of sinking may be a false alarm in terms of the city actually disappearing below sea level, and a new book notes similarities between Tokyo’s mini-kaihatsu and Houston’s townhouse developments.
Silliness of Induced Demand Arguments, NZ MUD Troubles, and more
by Tory Gattis — On the silliness of the induced demand anti-freeway-expansion argument; taxpayers *want* government to invest in infrastructure where there is demand!
With Low Ridership, Should Metro’s Excess Cash Pile Go To Flood Control?
by Tory Gattis — In spite of ridership being cut in half due to Covid, Metro’s financial position became stronger than ever due to a huge influx of federal grants, a total of $714 million in Covid relief in 2020 and 2021. Should this excess go to flood control?
TXDoT and Harris County Reach Deal on 45N NHHIP Rebuild
by Tory Gattis — TXDoT and Harris County finally came to a historic agreement today that will reshape Houston mobility for decades to come. (April Fools…)