Building the New America: Report on trends shaping the migration of people and jobs

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.

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.
Case for moving to Houston

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

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

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.