Houston

A Chronicle of Inequality—Starting with Memphis and Houston

Places Journal has launched a series titled "The Inequality Chronicles." Expect high-quality longform articles.

March 15, 2016 - Places Journal

Texas 288 Tollway: Big Public-Private Partnership Plans

A public-private partnership to build a large tollway south of Houston has taken important first steps. Construction will commence later this year.

March 8, 2016 - Houston Chronicle

Houston Releases Ambitious Bike Plan Aimed Toward Casual Riders

The newly revealed Houston Bike Plan targets an estimated $300 million to $500 million in investments into the city's bike infrastructure.

February 25, 2016 - OffCite

Houston, Construction

Oil Bust: Houston's Housing Surplus is Driving Rents Down

With a multitude of new high-end apartment complexes coming online, Houston residents are reaping the rewards of lowered rents as landlords struggle to fill vacancies due to a slowing oil economy.

February 18, 2016 - Houston Chronicle

New Houston Mayor Calls for a Paradigm Shift in Highway Planning

On the heels of the #NoNewRoads campaign, new Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner gave a "rousing" speech calling for the state of Texas to change its thinking about highway widening projects.

February 2, 2016 - Streetsblog USA

Hospital Signs

Houston's Lower-Income and Minority Communities Face Lack of Access to Medical Care

Maps showing the concentration of medical facilities in Houston, shows a greater density in higher-income areas.

February 1, 2016 - The Houston Chronicle

Oil Woes: Houston Housing Prices Falling Quickly

The price of oil has been on a steady decline since 2014, and the housing markets of oil industry towns are on their own, similar slide.

January 20, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Houston Metro Bus

Houston Metro Redesign Shows Promise

Following an "overnight" system redesign, Houston Metro ridership and frequency is up across the board. Its high frequency bus service now rivals that of peer cities on weekends.

January 2, 2016 - LinkedIn

Houston's Big Year in Transit Pays Off in New Ridership

It was a big year for transit in Houston: two new light rail lines launched operation and the regional bus system got a makeover on the high frequency grid model. Ridership is also up.

December 30, 2015 - Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

Gentrification Fears Spreading in Houston

In a state famous for affordability, people are beginning to ask a question more commonly associated with San Francisco or New York: Is Houston becoming home only to the affluent and the elite?

December 30, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

City Hall

Introducing 8 Newly Elected Mayors

There's no doubt that cities provide important leadership on countless issues—here are eight new elected mayors tasked with providing the political leadership to make it possible.

December 29, 2015 - Governing

On the New Era of Planning in Houston

The approval of the Plan Houston comprehensive plan was one of the biggest planning news stories of the year. A new podcast digs deeper into the significance and details of the new plan for the city of Houston.

December 14, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

Beware of Energy Rankings for Cities

In a special "Energy for Tomorrow" report, The New York Times looks at "clean city rankings" of energy efficiency and land use. But ranking cities is no easy task—"winners on one list may appears as sinners on another."

December 10, 2015 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

The Power of Houston's 'Magic Bus'

The Neighborhood Centers non-profit operates a bus named for the Who song "Magic Bus" to fill the fundamental needs of low income residents of Houston: access to jobs, healthcare, markets, and home.

December 8, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Fix Housing Supply, Save the City: Is it Really That Easy?

Planning wonks might have felt all warm inside when they noticed zoning topics wedging their way into broader conversations about community affordability and equity. Bring it on. Finally.

December 8, 2015 - PlaceShakers

High-Speed Rail to Stop Short of Downtown Houston

The latest plan for the Texas Central high-speed rail line would stop trains well short of downtown Houston. Transit advocates are displeased with the change of plans.

November 28, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Convention Center Arms Race Heats Up in Texas

Four major cities in Texas are either considering or constructing convention center upgrades.

November 25, 2015 - Community Impact Newspaper

Houston

On the Effect of Houston's Loose Land Use Regulations

A conversation with an architect yields insight into how Houston's pride in the lack of traditional land use regulation mechanisms has created the city as it exists today.

November 16, 2015 - OffCite

Texas Votes to Keep Old Road Spending Habits

Lots of dollar signs were flying around on Texas ballots last week, many of which were headed toward road construction measures. The Houston Chronicle, however, points out the shortcomings of the state's patterns of investment.

November 9, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Houston's downtown skyline

Dispelling Four Myths of Houston's Growth and Affordability

A researcher at Rice University finds that proclamations of Houston’s affordability, gentrification, and growth are just myths.

November 9, 2015 - The Urban Edge

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.