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.
Increased dispersion as people move from densely populated urban cores, to smaller communitiesWendell Cox, used with permission

Census 2021 Estimates: Increased Dispersion

by Wendell Cox — Increased dispersion began before COVID, but accelerated in 2021 with what the Census Bureau characterized as “a shift from larger, more populous counties to medium and smaller ones.”
Aerial view of suburbs

Houston #1 for Standard of Living, Debunking the 15 Minute City, and More

by Tory Gattis — Houston offers the highest standard of living in the country (discretionary income after costs), especially among growing cities. And, Alain Bertaud debunks the "15-minute city."
405 Transportation Plan

Can Houston Avoid L.A.’s Mobility Disaster?

Over the past 20 years, Los Angeles County drastically curtailed highway improvements and poured massive resources into expanding public transit. The result: disaster. Why do Harris County officials want to bring Los Angeles-style transportation planning to Houston?
The Next American Cities, a report from Urban Reform Institute

The Next American Cities, a New Report from Urban Reform Institute

by Charles Blain — Our recently released report, The Next American Cities, offers an answer to the problems plaguing those living in and near major cities, with a combination of affordability, amenities, and proximity to jobs.
I 45N Expansion Plan

What the Katy Managed Lanes Tell Us About the NHHIP 45N Expansion

by Tory Gattis — This week we have a post from Oscar Slotboom on on the effectiveness of managed lanes and why they're so critical to the 45N expansion plan in Houston, TX.
The Post-pandemic Future of Cities

The Post-Pandemic Future of Cities

by Tory Gattis — Fracking has a bad rep, but know-how born of the shale boom is now helping power clean energy entrepreneurship in Texas.
Aerial photo of energy extraction sites in Texas

Clean Energy Entrepreneurship in Houston, Densification, Welcoming Refugees and more

by Tory Gattis — Fracking has a bad rep, but know-how born of the shale boom is now helping power clean energy entrepreneurship in Texas.
Las Colinas light-rail station in Irving, Texas

Infrastructure Bill Problems, Dallas TOD Failure, Transit Issues

I have mixed feelings about the $1T infrastructure bill - a lot of money will be going into transit — a black hole, especially Amtrak.

Metro Update, and the Epic Failure of Transit-Oriented Development in Dallas

by Tory Gattis — Houston's MaX Lanes Network is moving forward, the I45N rebuild project is in need of support. Meanwhile, Houston continues to be an immgration magnet, with one of the best job to housing ratios in the country.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's approach to dealing with homelessness in Houston is seeing success.

Austin vs. Houston; Houston’s Tough Love Homelessness Model

by Tory Gattis — This week, I'm sharing my favorite excerpts from Evan Mintz's newest Texas Monthly essay, and how Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's approach to homelessness is succeeding.