The unprecedented 2017 storm dumped more than 50 inches of rain on the Houston area but as rain events and flooding become the new normal, new research is needed to respond.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

These dams needed replacing 15 years ago. Now Texas will drain four lakes instead — causing other problems.

This story was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

The dam at Lake McQueeny, near Seguin
News Story
: Sep 11, 2019
Hurricane Harvey, Urban Planning

Flood buyout recipients likely to move to equally flood-prone, whiter, wealthier areas, study shows

Rice University researchers found flood victims accept federal buyouts as long as their new neighborhood is whiter and wealthier than their former. 

Car under flood water floodwater
News Story
: Sep 5, 2019
Housing, Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey, two years later

Two years ago, the rains from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey inundated Harris County and Southeast Texas. 

Three women being rescued by boat by two men during a flood
Perspective
: Aug 26, 2019
Hurricane Harvey

Latest Research

Lessons from Harvey: Crisis Informatics for Urban Resilience

This report suggests that public agencies work closely with social media companies and the operators of crowdsourced sites to install plans to incorporate these systems into the disaster recovery process.
Three women being rescued by boat by two men during a flood
Report: Aug 22, 2018
Governance, Hurricane Harvey

Rethinking Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Funding in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

This research brief provides context about how the recovery process is unfolding in the Hurricane Harvey-affected region and how the area can prevent a similar situation from happening again.
People wade through flood waters during Hurricane Harvey.
Research: Jul 18, 2018
Hurricane Harvey

Building a More Resilient Housing System Event Report

This report by the Houston office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research highlights key learnings and strategies from the “Building a More Resilient Housing System” event held on March 27, 2018.
Building a More Resilient Housing System
Research: Jun 27, 2018
Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Urban Disparity

Experts

Head shot of Ed Emmett

Ed Emmett

  • Senior Fellow and Professor in the Practice
  • Expertise: Transportation Policy & Community Resilience
Profile
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
Head shot of Jie Wu

Jie Wu

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

Related Initiatives

Urban and Metropolitan Governance

Many of the major issues confronting Houston and other cities can be viewed as questions of governance. As part of the Urban and Metropolitan Governance program, researchers examine how Houston runs and how it can run better.