Governance

Exit Interview: Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker

The urban planner-turned-mayor reflects on his 8 years in office and how he helped transform the city.

Six Big Issues Facing Houston's New Mayor in 2016

Pensions, police, and infrastructure are all challenges Sylvester Turner will face pressure to address next year.

9 Things We Learned About Cities in 2015

With 2015 in the books, we revisit the most intriguing findings from Kinder Institute researchers this year.

See the 8 cities with new mayors taking office next month

Houston, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis are among the major U.S. cities poised to get new mayors in January.

How One Chart Explains the "Crisis" of Latino Voting in Houston

Houston is 44 percent Latino, but it could have just one Latino elected official depending on how Saturday's election shakes out.

Voter Turnout is Low. So Why Do We Make People Vote Twice?

Runoff elections are inefficient and inconvenient. But there's another option.

Smart Streetlights are the Tip of the Spear for Smart Cities

It’s the first step for cities looking to grab the “smart cities” mantle: smart streetlights.

These Are Today's Top 10 "Urban Innovations"

Vertical farming, on-demand transit and intelligent street poles top the World Economic Forum's list.

Don’t misinterpret Houston’s non-voting record

Houston voters rejected HERO. That doesn’t mean its residents aren’t progressive.

This is America: What the Debate Over Syrian Refugees Means for Those in Houston

Rejection of refugees and threats about funding confound an already desperate situation.

Houston is split on gay rights. So why did its equal rights ordinance fail spectacularly?

Houston elected an openly gay mayor three times. But it couldn't pass an equal rights ordinance that exists in many other cities.

Research Over Coffee: Lack of Black Lawmakers Can’t be Explained By Unwilling Candidates

Blacks are just as likely to seek high office, but they face smaller odds of success.

Transit, Development Issues Face Houston Mayoral Candidates

We present context around the candidates’ comments on their vision for the city.

Houston, Kinder Institute to Host Next City Vanguard Conference in 2016

What happens when you bring dozens of the country's most promising young urbanists to a city and set them loose to solve its biggest challenges?

What do Houston’s mayoral candidates think of our obesity epidemic?

Upcoming debate aims to shed light on public health issues