![Building the New America: Report on trends shaping the migration of people and jobs](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/building-the-new-america-495x400.jpg)
Report: Building the New America
How do we build a new urban model for America — one that is better aligned with the aspirations of most Americans? This newly released report examines the housing trends that are driving today's migration of people and jobs.
![](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/View_from_Reunion_Tower_August_2015_02-495x400.jpg)
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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gfp-texas-houston-more-skyscrapers-495x400.jpg)
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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Woodlands-Township_URI-Report-495x400.jpg)
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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Houston_skyline_night-495x400.jpg)
‘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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/astrodome-houston-texas-495x400.jpg)
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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/irvine-tx-houston-area-495x400.jpg)
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](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/port-of-houston-495x400.jpg)
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.
![Case for moving to Houston](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/chart-houston-case-for-moving-495x400.jpg)
Bloomberg’s Case for Moving to Houston, URI 2020 Year in Review Video, and More
by Tory Gattis — Bloomberg Businessweek's makes "The Case for Moving to Houston" in a story on high-tech workers leaving the big expensive coastal cities.
![Houston Downtown](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/houston-city-center-495x400.jpg)
New Zealand Adopts Texas Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
by Tory Gattis — In 2018, New Zealand sent delegates to the USA to study urban development, with a focus on revenue bonds and municipal utility districts (MUDs) in Texas.
![Kyle Harper talks about disease and the fall of Rome — and parallels with COVID-19](https://be6064.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/feudal-future_kyle-harper-on-disease-and-fall-of-rome-495x400.jpg)
Feudal Future Podcast — Kyle Harper
In this episode of the Feudal Future podcast, Kyle Harper join hosts Joel and Marshall to talk about infectious disease as part of the destruction of Rome.