For the first time in its 70-year history, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its annual conference in the city of Houston.
Nancy Sarnoff considers the possibility that Houston is no longer a "tear-down city"—as evidenced at least in part by the National Trust for Historic Preservation choosing the city for the site of its annual conference.
Sarnoff quotes Susan West Montgomery, the National Trust's vice president of preservation resources, who says that "If preservation can work and be relevant in a city like Houston, it can work and be relevant anywhere…" Montgomery is referring to the relative lack of regulatory infrastructure in Houston, which means that preservation is generated by the passion of the community.
The remainder of the article focuses on some of the highlights the event's attendees will find in the city.
FULL STORY: Preservationists to celebrate Houston's growing penchant for saving what's old
Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’
Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.
Houston Metro Plan Centers Safety, Accessibility
A new plan from the city’s transit agency focuses on improving the rider experience and boosting safety, but remains uncommitted to previous plans to build new BRT lines.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
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.
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.
San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.
Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.
Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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