The new mayor’s reversal of road safety projects, some already underway or completed, is raising eyebrows among developers who say residents want walkable, mixed-use streets.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s reversal or suspension of road safety projects in the city is concerning developers as well as pedestrian advocates, reports Janet Miranda in the Houston Chronicle.
“So far the mayor has reversed work on city roads, demolishing new pedestrian-friendly street improvements and putting holds on ongoing street projects in the name of preserving car lanes. His targets have included Houston Avenue, the Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project and the Shepherd-Durham redesign—undertakings put into motion in the name of bettering safety, improving drainage and increasing walkability.”
The mayor’s stance seems in opposition to the views of other city officials and Houston residents. In a 2023 poll, 60 percent of respondents said they would prefer to live in a mixed-use development over a single-family home. “An increased demand among prospective U.S. homebuyers for amenities like ample sideways and proximity of homes to service businesses has not gone unnoticed by Houston real estate developers.”
For developers, walkability sells. “Enhancing walkability supports development and economic growth, and candidly shouldn't be controversial at the city level,” wrote Steve Radom, founder of Radom Capital, in a statement to Houston Public Media.
FULL STORY: 'What is the mayor doing?': Developers weigh in on Whitmire's road policies

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland