Inner KATY BRT Plan

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 a false alarm

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.
Texas Highway Interchange Stack

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!
Las Colinas light-rail station in Irving, Texas

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?
I-45N junction with the 10Dhanix, used under CC 3.0 License

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...)

How to Fix American Capitalism

by 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.
The Case for Suburbia

“Drivable Urban” Houston and the Case for Suburbia

by 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.
Exploratorium Museum

PBS Loves Houston, We Need an Exploratorium, HTX #1 in Homebuilding

by 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.
Welcome to Texas road sign

Texans don’t leave, checklist for opportunity cities, exurbia rising

by 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.
Dilworth, a suburb of Charlotte, NC

Sprawl is Good — The Environmental Case for Suburbia

by 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.