The Next American Cities, a report from Urban Reform Institute

The Next American Cities, a New Report from Urban Reform Institute

by Charles Blain — Our recently released report, The Next American Cities, offers an answer to the problems plaguing those living in and near major cities, with a combination of affordability, amenities, and proximity to jobs.
Suburbs with green spaceLa Citta Vita, used under CC 2.0 License

Demographia United States Housing Affordability, 2021 Edition

The Urban Reform Institute is pleased to present the 2021 edition of Demographia United States Housing Affordability.
A conversation about housing affordability with Wendell Cox

Frontier Thinkers Corner: Housing Affordability

Wendell Cox, senior fellow at Urban Reform Institute, joins David Lees to discuss housing affordability and the root causes of the housing affordability crisis.
Houston's downtown, looking outward toward suburbs

Houston’s Blob is About to Eat Even More of East Texas…and We Should Embrace It

by Tory Gattis — Houston’s traditional “build more” approach to growth responds to what people want rather than what urban planners think is the 'right' way.
Report on Issues relating to the potential incorporation of The Woodlands Township

URI Report: Issues Relating to the Potential Municipal Incorporation of The Woodlands Township

Urban Reform Institute releases new report on Issues Relating to the Potential Municipal Incorporation of The Woodlands Township.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's approach to dealing with homelessness in Houston is seeing success.

Austin vs. Houston; Houston’s Tough Love Homelessness Model

by Tory Gattis — This week, I'm sharing my favorite excerpts from Evan Mintz's newest Texas Monthly essay, and how Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's approach to homelessness is succeeding.
Austin Downtown July 4th

Flexible Remote Work Beating Hybrid Models, Austin’s CA Housing Frenzy

by Tory Gattis — Californians are feeding Austin's housing frenzy, as flexible remote work is beating hybrid models for work.
Reason video on how to solve the urban housing crisis

Reason Video on Houston’s Housing Approach

by Tory Gattis — The lead item this week is a very cool video from Reason, "Density or Sprawl? How To Solve the Urban Housing Crisis" — that discusses how Houston's housing approach gets it right.
Houston skyline at night

‘Be Someone’ City Opportunity Urbanism Event and more

by Tory Gattis — Join us Wednesday evening June 16th: Building a 'Be Someone' City: Houston and the Rise of Opportunity Urbanism. We will discuss how to develop a market-centered, ‘people-oriented’ approach to urban policy, planning, and development.
Photo credit: Aerial vies of Irvine, Texas by La Citta Vitta, via Flickr

Texas and Houston Growth Secret, Texas Miracle is More than Oil

by Tory Gattis — Going beyond all the usual reasons given for Texas' high growth, here's the technical overlooked one that I think is a big key: Texas does not allow unincorporated counties to regulate land use (i.e. create zoning), which creates pretty much a totally free market in development just outside cities.