Vibrant communities are key to a city's vitality but economic investment can take many forms with an array of consequences.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Snapshot taken of Houston just before pandemic shows the inequalities COVID-19 would exploit

Interviews for the 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey were conducted just before the world was upended. The results of the survey reflect the existing disparities in health care and economics that the COVID-19 outbreak has underscored and exacerbated. 

Inequalities in Houston revealed in 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey
Kinder Institute Research
: May 18, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity

Could parklets help Houston restaurants recover from the pandemic?

As restaurants in Houston reopen and expand beyond to-go and delivery service, they’re required to provide more space between diners. In a number of cities, steps are being taken to allow businesses like restaurants to temporarily use outdoor space and parking lots to help with adequate physical distancing.

seasonal parklet in philadelphia
Urban Edge: May 11, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Governance, Health, Placemaking

Urban Edge explains: The decennial census and why it’s more important than ever

For those who haven’t completed the ongoing 2020 Census, an important reason to respond online, by phone or by mail to the nine-question survey is the neighbor next door, two doors down or down the street.

artwork for Harris County census campaign
Urban Edge: May 3, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Governance, Health, Housing

Latest Research

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2020 Results

For close to four decades, the Kinder Houston Area Survey has been tracking the changing attitudes and experiences of Houstonians.
Report: May 18, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

The Maker Economy: The Growing Demand of Small Urban Manufacturers in Houston

With guidance, funding, and technical support from TX/ RX Labs, the Houston office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and BeehiveFund/TMAC Gulf Coast, the Kinder Institute team set out to raise awareness around small urban manufacturing in Houston, culminating in this report.
Report: Nov 21, 2019
Economic Development

Amenitizing Urban Waterways: Planning Public Space Improvements with Vulnerable Communities in Mind

How can cities ensure that urban waterfront redevelopment benefits as many people as possible?
LA River
Report: Jul 31, 2017
Economic Development

Experts

Bill Fulton

William Fulton

  • Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Research Oversight Committee, Urban Data Platform
713-348-2698
Profile
Head shot of Han Park

John Park

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

Kyle Shelton

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

Related Initiatives

Community Bridges

A year-long, experiential learning program for undergraduate students designed to help alleviate poverty and inequality in Greater Houston.

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.