Infrastructure and mobility are ongoing challenges for many urban areas that connect to a range of related issues.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

How Houston has changed — and stayed the same — in the past 10 years

It’s been a decade since the Kinder Institute for Urban Research was formed at Rice University. During that time, a lot has changed at the institute and in the Houston metropolitan area. In 2020, the Urban Edge will feature a number of stories related to the 10-year anniversary of the institute. To kick things off, let's compare the Houston area of 2010 with the city today.

buffalo bayou park, skater in the East End and Hurricane Harvey
News Story
: Jan 7, 2020
Demographics, Health, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Transportation

2019’s most-popular stories: Dockless scooters, the I-45 expansion and more

The most-popular Urban Edge stories from the past year ranged in topic from dockless scooters and the growth rate of Dallas to the unequal distribution of trees in the city and the Opportunity Zone program. But the most popular topic of 2019 was TxDOT’s enormous I-45 expansion plan.

line of dockless scooters
Urban Edge: Dec 24, 2019
Demographics, Elections, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Transportation, Urban Disparity

Is development fueled by transit driving residents out in some areas?

Extensions of light rail service in areas with easy access to Houston’s major job centers have brought residential and commercial development to those areas. Researchers at the Kinder Institute wanted to find out if and how transit investments impact patterns of gentrification in the city.

METRO light rail train in Houston
Kinder Institute Research
: Dec 11, 2019
Demographics, Economic Development, Housing, Transportation

Latest Research

Accessing Opportunity: Employment and Commuting Patterns among Low-, Medium- and High-wage Workers in Houston

While Houston continues to claim to be an affordable city, findings show that a lack of public transportation is making living in the city more difficult to access jobs in some areas.
Aerial view of downtown Houston
Research: Oct 11, 2018
Transportation, Urban Disparity

Planning From Inside Out: Using Community Responses to Address Transportation, Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

This report provides a more in-depth understanding of critical transportation safety issues, highlights key issues and can be used to prioritize street safety improvements.
Man riding bike along rough, muddy sidewalk
Research: Sep 27, 2018
Transportation, Urban Planning

From Close Calls to Crashes: Infrastructure Priorities to Improve Safety For People on Bikes

This report focuses on how information about daily trips can be used to improve transportation safety for bicyclists.
Man with his bike looking at the Houston skyline
Research: Aug 7, 2018
Transportation, Urban Planning

Experts

Head shot of Ed Emmett

Ed Emmett

  • Senior Fellow and Professor in the Practice
  • Expertise: Transportation Policy & Community Resilience
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John Park

  • Research Fellow, Development, Transportation and Placemaking, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
713-348-8127
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Head shot of Kyle Shelton

Kyle Shelton

  • Deputy Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
713-348-3683
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Related Initiatives

Urban Development, Transportation and Placemaking

The Urban Development, Transportation and Placemaking program investigates issues associated with the growth and development in Houston on both a large and small scale.