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

Cities struggle to regain employment levels seen prior to the pandemic

The jobs recovery is coming along haltingly, and it has been particularly sluggish for the nation’s biggest cities. Even with historic levels of new job openings, it might take longer for cities to adapt to the new dynamics of the post-2020 (we won't call it post-pandemic) economy.  

News Story
: Aug 23, 2021
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development

A road trip to find the next big Texan metropolis

Texas’ “Big 4” metro areas—Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio—have all exploded with growth. Will a fifth emerge?
Urban Edge: Jul 5, 2021
Demographics, Economic Development, Sun Belt

We need to talk about the Astrodome

Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett discusses the past, present and once-future plan for the Astrodome, which has stood empty for almost 20 years. Recently, efforts to remake the Dome have been renewed.
Feature Story
: Jun 28, 2021
Economic Development, Placemaking

Latest Research

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2021 Results

For the past four decades, Rice University’s Kinder Houston Area Survey (KHAS) has been tracking the changing attitudes and beliefs of Harris County residents. The 2021 survey summarizes the most consequential changes and their implications for public policy initiatives going forward.
Report: May 11, 2021
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation

A Bottom-Up Infrastructure Strategy for American Renewal

This report identifies infrastructure priorities identified by local and regional leaders around the nation. Conclusions provide an important set of guideposts about priorities the new administration should take into account in crafting a national infrastructure strategy.
Report: Feb 10, 2021
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Transportation, Urban Planning

The Urban Sun Belt: An Overview

This report documents the unique set of urban challenges Sun Belt Cities face.
Report: Jun 11, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Governance, Sun Belt, Urban Planning

Experts

Bill Fulton

William Fulton

  • Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Research Oversight Committee, Urban Data Platform
  • Publisher, Urban Edge Blog
713-348-2698
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Steve Sherman

Stephen Averill Sherman

  • Research Fellow, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
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Head shot of Jie Wu

Jie Wu

  • Director of Research Operations, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Research Oversight Committee, Urban Data Platform
713-348-3856
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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.