Placemaking

Houston is filled with potentially polluted properties. Residents want them cleaned up.

The 45th Kinder Houston Area Survey shows Houstonians overwhelmingly support the redevelopment of brownfield sites across the region.

Over $20 million in federal grants boost Houston’s investment in parks

Houston has over 1,200 parks and nearly 65,000 acres of greenspace. Keeping them adequately funded requires a combination of public-private partnerships, tax increment reinvestment zones and ballot initiatives.

Seeking solutions: Pro-Vision Inc. strives to end intergenerational poverty in Houston’s Sunnyside

After nine years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback Roynell Young determined his playing days were over at the end of the 1988-89 season.

After 40 years of encouraging play, SPARK wants to eliminate Houston’s park deserts

In 1983, Houston’s Green Ribbon Commission reported that the city needed an additional 5,000 acres of greenspace to compete with the parks and recreation facilities in other U.S. cities. To meet this challenge, the report suggested creating community parks on public school grounds, which led to the SPARK School Park Program.

Could parks be a panacea for what ails Houston? Here’s what the research says

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, urban parks and greenspace provided welcome respite and recreation when people had to spend a lot of time indoors. That renewed appreciation for parks confirmed what many researchers have been pointing out for decades: They provide cities huge benefits for public health, the environment and the economy.

Funding Houston's Parks and Greenspace

This report explores parks and greenspace funding in the Houston area.

'You betta do somethin’': How seven artists helped Third Ward reclaim itself 30 years ago

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Project Row Houses' debut, the Urban Edge asked author and artist Lindsay Gary to reflect on the impact of this project on Third Ward, on Houston and on her own journey.

Q&A: In Houston, a national developer finds the will and a way to build more affordable housing

A national not-for-profit affordable housing developer is broadening its reach into the Houston market with five projects across the city. It unveiled a new apartment community for adults over the age of 55 in Third Ward with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included some of Houston’s top elected and housing officials earlier this month.

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2023 Results

The 42nd Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a glimpse into how Houstonians are thinking about the economy, affordable housing, inequality, and other critical challenges and issues facing their communities.

As Fort Bend becomes increasingly urban, developers see opportunity to rethink neighborhood design

A parcel of 235 acres off State Highway 99 and north of Highway 90 in Fort Bend County will be the home of a community where developers are offering residents an open-spaced, “people-first” neighborhood with maximized pedestrian safety, car-free zones and other amenities, including a 42-acre farm and a 25-acre lake.

Kinder Institute Forum: Tamika L. Butler

A national expert and speaker on issues related to the built environment and equity, Tamika L. Butler discusses institutional oppression, the importance of inclusive urban design, and how to make transportation and public spaces more equitable.

Kinder Institute Forum: Richard Florida

Leading urbanist Richard Florida discusses the effect COVID-19 and its related economic, fiscal, social and political fallout have had on cities. He also outlines how post-pandemic, cities can rebuild to be more resilient and equitable.

Urban Reads: Rachel T. Kimbro

Sociologist Rachel T. Kimbro discusses her new book, “In Too Deep: Class and Mothering in a Flooded Community.”

‘In Too Deep’ explores intersection of mothering, class, community—and disastrous, repetitive flooding in Houston

A new book, “In Too Deep” tells the story of Bayou Oaks, and its repetitive flooding, from the perspective of 36 mothers who are raising young children there. It follows the families across the course of more than a year, starting right after Hurricane Harvey flooded their homes, and tracking them across the recovery year and beyond as they work to restore their community for the third time in three years. 

Scribbles from Switzerland: In a world of disruption, a tiny old European region has a lot of answers

I just took a trip to Switzerland and southern Germany, and was amazed by what I saw and experienced. As a country goes, Switzerland is relatively old, landlocked, and small. However, despite its reputation for being just about chocolate and skiing, it’s also quite diverse, both socially and economically. Its terrain is wildly varied, combining mountains, valleys, plains and lakes, with historically strong and distinct areas clearly defined in each area. And Switzerland consistently ranks near the highest in terms of overall quality of life.