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The place for news about Houston and issues that affect the future of the city
The place for news about Houston and issues that affect the future of the city
Support Center for Opportunity Urbanism as we promote people-oriented urbanism.
Urban Reform Institute
3900 Essex Lane, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
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.
Metro’s Inner Katy BRT Plan, and Urban Exodus Trend
in Blog/by Tory Gattisby 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
in Blog, Economics, Planning/by Tory Gattisby 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
in Blog, Economics, Planning/by Tory Gattisby 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?
in Blog, Economics, Planning/by Tory Gattisby 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
in Blog, Planning/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — TXDoT and Harris County finally came to a historic agreement today that will reshape Houston mobility for decades to come. (April Fools…)
How to Fix American Capitalism
in Blog, Politics & Policy/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — Millennials may not fully grasp the consequences of the government owning the means of production, but they certainly don’t like how American capitalism is working for them. They have a point.
“Drivable Urban” Houston and the Case for Suburbia
in Blog/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — “Drivable urban” Houston has a lower cost of living than most major metros across the U.S., making a persuasive case for suburbia.
PBS Loves Houston, We Need an Exploratorium, HTX #1 in Homebuilding
in Blog/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — Houston needs its own version of the San Francisco Exploratorium museum – it’s just awesome. Meanwhile, we’re #1 in homebuilding, as Houston’s population booms.
Texans don’t leave, checklist for opportunity cities, exurbia rising
in Blog/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — Lessons from history and from the success stories of the present point to clear priorities for cities to become today’s opportunity cities.
Sprawl is Good — The Environmental Case for Suburbia
in Blog, Suburbs/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — ‘Sprawl is Good — The Environmental Case for Suburbia’ makes a comprehensive case for why and how sprawl can be pro-environment and address climate change.