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.
offshore oil rig, California

California’s Climate Extremism

by Joel Kotkin — Environmental extremism increasingly dominates California. The state is making a concerted attack on energy companies in the courts; a bill is pending in the legislature to fine waiters $1,000—or jail them—if they offer people plastic straws

Landless Americans Are the New Serf Class

by Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox — For the better part of the past century, the American dream was defined, in large part, by that “universal aspiration” to own a home. As housing prices continue to outstrip household income, that’s changing as more and more younger Americans are ending up landless, and not by choice.
Repairs on Mulholland Drive

Trump’s Infrastructure Plan is a Rare, and Potentially Bipartisan, Feel Good Moment

President Trump's proposed trillion dollar plus infrastructure program represents a rare, and potentially united feel good moment. Yet before we jump into a massive re-do of our transportation, water and electrical systems, it's critical to make sure we get some decent bang for the federal buck.
Photo credit: Aerial vies of Irvine, Texas by La Citta Vitta, via Flickr

The Price of Texas Growth: Housing Affordability

by Dr. Luis Torres — During the housing recovery, Texas price gains uncharacteristically outpaced those at the national level from December 2010 to June 2017, pushing home prices to record highs.
The Flatirons in Autumn

Ending Economic Apartheid

by Randal O'Toole — Thanks to its greenbelt and slow-growth policies, Boulder, Colorado is the nation’s most-expensive and least-affordable housing market of any city not in a coastal state.
Bricktown Canal Water Taxis in Oklahoma City

Local Empowerment Should Be About Local Matters

I've generally been someone who wants to see local governments…
Photo credit: Jill Carlson (jillcarlson.org) from Roman Forest, Texas, USA (Hurricane Harvey Flooding and Damage)

How to Deal with an Age of Disasters

by Joel Kotkin — When Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston, followed by a strong hurricane in Florida, much of the media response indicated that the severe weather was a sign of catastrophic climate change...
Photo credit: Defense.gov

Houston Land Use Gets Bad Rap

by Wendell Cox — Yes, the Houston metropolitan area storm was so intense that no plan could have prevented the flooding devastation. Yet, through the years, Houston’s land use regulation has been roundly criticized...
Houston Infrastructure Damage After HurricaneHarvey

Spotlight on Infrastructure After Harvey

by Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox — The recent tragic events in Houston and across the Gulf Coast once again demonstrated the woeful inadequacy of our infrastructure. Hopefully, some good will come of Hurricane Harvey.
Photo credit: Ewillison via Wikimedia

A Roadmap to Job-Creating Transportation Infrastructure

In this report on the nation's infrastructure, Wendell Cox explores the best ways to address broad public concern about our flagging transportation infrastructure without increasing both the national debt and federal deficit.