Lot size reform puts money in pocket of Houston homeowners

Problem, We Have a Houston – Lot Size Reform Equivalent to $18K Gift for Single-Family Homeowners

Houstonians got a free $18k from minimum lot size reform, but is Houston sliding towards zoning? Houston tops standard of living rankings.
I-45N junction with the 10Dhanix, used under CC 3.0 License

Experts Spar Over Induced Demand and Urban Freeway Expansion

Experts spar over whether urban freeway expansion results in less congestion or not; does added capacity simply lead more drivers to use the freeway?
Houston PAC aimed at regional transportation planning and funding.

Charter Amendment Petition Aimed at Regional Transportation Funding Underway

A new group called the Houston-Galveston Area PAC has launched a petition effort focused on reforming the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), the region’s federally-chartered metropolitan planning organization.
Houston sneaking backdoor zoning ordinance

City of Houston Sneaking Through Backdoor Zoning

The City of Houston is trying to sneak through backdoor zoning with an ordinance authorizing "conservation districts". This legislation is open for public comment: we've included the link to make your opposition heard.
Live Speaker Panel: Views from The Left Coast

Views from The Left Coast

The Western US has long been an innovator in developing the urban form, notably in the creation of suburbanized, multipolar cities. Yet now that model is showing strain, and there’s a fierce debate about how western cities should grow.
Texas' $31BN Storm Barrier - known as the Ike Dike

Empty Downtowns, Blue-state Exodus Continues, and HTX Port Expansion

Empty downtowns persist as data shows strong economic incentives to continue the work-from-home revolution if jobs allow it, plus Houston port expansion seems to be paying off.
Texas and USA flags in snow

2022 Highlights

Time for our annual round-up of 2022 highlights — the best posts from the year, with this year featuring many great posts from Oscar Slotboom.
Pearland Town Center

Assessed Value of Pearland Overstated $1.3 Billion

The City of Pearland finds itself in an uncertain position after it was discovered that the taxable value of the city, used to calculate revenues and tax rates, was overstated by roughly $1.3 billion because of a “worksheet error.”
Second Dwelling Units may help ease housing unaffordability in urban areas, but are prohibited by deed restrictions in many cities.

Why Houston is Better with TIRZs, and Minimal Zoning Restrictions

by Tory Gattis — Houston's TIRZs (tax-increment reinvestment zones) may provide more opportunity for middle and working class families to find affordable housing than typical urban zoning practices.
Aerial view of Houston, Texas

Countering the “Freeway Fighters”

by Tory Gattis — This piece covers the "freeway fighters", a growing anti-freeway movement in America which will have many negative ramifications for the economies of metro areas.