Kinder Institute director William Fulton discusses Houston's changing demographics and economic prospects. He sees the city as a place to pioneer and implement solutions to Sun Belt problems.

In an interview with Next City publisher Tom Dallessio, Kinder Institute head William Fulton says Houston can and should become a leader in Sun Belt urban innovation. Having served as mayor of Ventura, California, Fulton arrived in a Houston on the verge of rapid change.
"I'm amazed at what a dynamic urban place Houston is. It has been having its moment on the national stage recently with the Bayou Greenways plan, the reimagining of the bus system, new bike plan and two new light-rail lines. It's becoming recognized by major urban organizations as a place that is equipped to deal with the emerging issues affecting the entire Sun Belt."
On the demographic front, "Houston is moving past the old white/black dynamic to much more of a melting pot. There are more Vietnamese people in Houston than in any other area of the U.S. outside of California." Like much of the Sun Belt, Houston now boasts a large Latino population, nearly half of the total.
If Houston surpasses Chicago to become the third most populous city in the nation, Fulton argues it should also develop leadership approaches to flood resilience and equitable development.
FULL STORY: Why Houston Can Lead Urban Change in the Sun Belt

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

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.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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