Port of Houston now handles more cargo than Rotterdam

Preventing big infrastructure failures, mass migration to Texas and more

by Tory Gattis — To prevent big infrastructure failures, we need to compare a proposed project estimate to similar projects actual costs BEFORE a project goes through the approval process.
Las Vegas Convention Center transit

Houston Should Learn from the Future of Public Transit in Las Vegas

by Tory Gattis — This week we have a post from Oscar Slotboom on how Houston should learn from the future of public transit that Las Vegas is pursuing.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Houston vs. Austin, Kudos for Museum of Fine Arts Houston

by Tory Gattis — A just published review compares Houston vs. Austin, Woodlands ranked Best City to Live in America, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston receives praise from Travel + Leisure.

HCTRA Annual Report Shows Impact of COVID and Toll Diversions

by Tory Gattis, with data from Oscar Slotboom — The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) fiscal year 2021 annual financial report shows impact of COVID, but it had a strong financial position prior to COVID, and easily handled the financial setback.
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 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.
The Astrodome Conservancy starts campaign to repurpose the Astrodome

Astrodome as World’s Largest Climate-Controlled Festival Park, Smart Traffic Lights and more

by Tory Gattis — Could the Astrodome be repurposed as the world’s largest climate-controlled park with a focus on weekend festivals? Having an activated park full of activities and festivals on weekends that is always protected from heat and rain would be a very popular spot for Houstonians.
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.
Port of Houston now handles more cargo than Rotterdam

Are We Entering the Distributed Age? Plus Perspectives on Houston Infrastructure

by Tory Gattis — As we enter a distributed age of remote work, Houston's extensive infrastructure and affordable housing position the city for growth.