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

In 2019, Houston Faces Tough Challenges, Big Opportunities

Another year, another set of urgent issues – some of them still lingering from years prior.
Looking up at Houston skyscrapers
News Story
: Jan 8, 2019
Economic Development, Education, Hurricane Harvey, Transportation

With Rising Disaster Costs Comes Increasing Inequality

New research builds on the work of two sociologists documenting the connection between disasters and inequality.
A volunteer clears debris after Harvey
Kinder Institute Research
: Dec 11, 2018
Hurricane Harvey, Urban Disparity

Q+A: The Rising Risks of Urban Flooding

From existing data sources to flood mitigation practices, cities need to step up to respond to a national challenge.
Aerial view of flooding in New Orleans
Interview
: Dec 10, 2018
Hurricane Harvey, Urban Planning

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 William 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

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Director of Strategic Partnerships, 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.