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

COVID-19 survey: Houston area is the hardest hit large metro in America

Jobless claims, along with COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations, are on the rise in Texas. And the social and economic impacts seem to be the greatest in the Houston metropolitan area.

1938 - Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. Photographer - Dorothea Lange
News Story
: Jul 10, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Education, Health

Will the rush to reopen only end up intensifying the economic crisis?

Texas and other small-government Sun Belt states, which were already were limited in their capacity to respond in times of economic crisis, were hit hard by big drops in consumer spending resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. As the second part of the pandemic’s first wave now washes over many of these states, it remains to be seen what effect it will have on their floundering economies.

crowded bar woman in mask
Kinder Institute Research
: Jun 26, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Governance, Health, Sun Belt

As rents and home prices go up, once-affordable Houston grows less accessible

Dozens of key housing indicators in Houston and Harris County shifted between 2010 and 2018, and in just the past several months the area has been hit by parallel economic and public health crises that have slowed home sales, disrupted the rental market and halted new development, making it even more difficult for many area residents to find affordable housing.

Kinder Institute Research
: Jun 23, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Housing, Urban Disparity

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
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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

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.