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

There are only 19 prosperous majority-Black ZIP codes in the US. The Houston area is home to two

A shocking 70% of the nation’s 1,036 majority-Black ZIP codes are considered “distressed,” while only 19 — 1.8% — rank as “prosperous,” according to one analysis. Two of those prosperous ZIP codes are in Fort Bend County.

aerial photo of Fresno, Texas
News Story
: Jan 13, 2021
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Housing, Urban Disparity

Top stories of 2020: The post-pandemic world, racial injustice and the urban research that can make cities more equitable

Here are the 10 most-viewed — and some of the most-engaging — Urban Edge stories of the year, as well as a look at how the Kinder Institute and its researchers are providing the insight needed to solve cities’ equity problems.

Urban Edge top stories 2020
Feature Story
: Dec 23, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Transportation, Urban Disparity

Study: Pandemic relief for small businesses did its job, but more stimulus likely needed

New research indicates federal and local COVID-19 relief programs were effective in helping to buoy small businesses with injections of cash earlier in the pandemic. And as the pandemic drags on, additional action may be necessary.

small businesses helped by pandemic relief programs
News Story
: Nov 24, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development

Latest Research

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

Houston and Harris County Housing Conversation

A summary of a stakeholder conversation on housing issues held in February, 2017.
Suburban Community
Report: Feb 20, 2017
Economic Development, Housing, Urban Disparity

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

  • Senior 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.