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.
suburban homes

Housing and the California Dream are at a Crossroads

by Joel Kotkin — For generations, California has offered its people an opportunity to own a home, start a business, and move up, whether someone came from Brooklyn, east Texas, Morelos or Taipei. That deal is still desired by most
Rockefeller Center

Suburbs & Exurbs Grab Nearly All Metropolitan Growth

by Wendell Cox — The pattern of suburban (and exurban) population growth in the suburbs and exurbs that has dominated the United States since World War II has returned and is intensifying.
View of Downtown Houston, Texas

Houston Housing Market 3rd Quarter 2017: Impact of Harvey Strongest in Resale Market

by Lawrence Dean — Houston’s new home market and general economic conditions cannot be discussed without considering the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, which damaged 167,000 single family homes throughout the Greater Houston Area.
COU Reports

COU Standard of Living Index 2017 – 2nd Annual Edition

In this policy brief, The COU Standard of Living Index, Wendell Cox provides cost of living estimates for new entrants to metropolitan markets, including prospective home buyers as well as renters.
LA transit metro system map

Los Angeles Transit Ridership Losses Lead National Decline

by Wendell Cox — In recent days, two well placed commentaries have detailed the recent declines both in US transit ridership, and in particular, Los Angeles, where the decline is most severe.
San Francisco from Twin Peaks

San Francisco Bay Area Housing 3Q17: Affordability Limits Continue to Be Tested

“The story in this market continues to be affordability, or the lack thereof,” said Greg Gross, Regional Director of Metrostudy’s Northern California market. “Our average “offer to build” base price for new Single Family detached homes is up 17%...
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…
Tory Gattis speaks at HGAC Workshop

MAX Lanes: Handling High Capacity Traffic

Tory Gattis, Founding Senior Fellow of Center for Opportunity Urbanism, gave a presentation on MaX Lanes to HGAC High Capacity Transit Task Force.
Photo credit: Juan Lozano/AP

What Do Houston’s Pro-Growth Boosters Think Now?

Hurricane Harvey inflicted an estimated $100 billion in damage on the Houston area in August and September, a catastrophe that some urban planning pundits...
Photo credit: Defense.gov

Hurricane Harvey Whitepaper

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and the disastrous flooding, Houston has come under extreme scrutiny. Much of the current debate starts from a firm misunderstanding of the region’s realities.