Placemaking

A vacant lot in Third Ward is filled with life after chess-park transformation

The “Urban Edge explains …” series explores issues and concepts that are important to urban planning and policy experts. Today, we look at the power of tactical urbanism to demonstrate effective solutions to long-term goals using short-term, inexpensive examples.

A rush to map freedom colonies before a crucial part of history is lost

For the past six years, Andrea Roberts has been dispelling misconceptions about the history of African American placemaking in Texas through her Texas Freedom Colonies Project.

Parks and public spaces: How Houston ranks and some of our favorites

If the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore rankings mean anything to you, Houston’s steady slide over the past seven years may surprise, concern, frustrate or alarm you. The nonprofit’s evaluation of “park access and quality” — based on an assessment of access, investment, acreage and amenities — puts Houston at No. 85 among the nation’s 100 largest cities. Overall, the city’s parks get a score of 35.3.

Kinder Institute Forum: Eric Klinenberg

New York University professor and sociologist Eric Klinenberg discusses social isolation, economic and racial stratification, and how social infrastructure can revitalize civic life.

Kinder Institute Forum: Maurice Cox

Maurice Cox, director of planning and development for the city of Detroit, Michigan, discusses creative design and community engagement as strategies for long-term equitable development.

Shared Prospects: Hispanics and the Future of Houston

The rich data from this research provide a rare opportunity to explore systematically the experiences and perspectives of the different Hispanic communities over time and to assess their prospects for the future.

Houston Area Asian Survey: Diversity and Transformation Among Asians in Houston

Survey data provides insight into Houston's diverse Asian communities.

The Houston Arts Survey: Participation, Perceptions and Prospects

This report uses survey data to answer this question: How do Harris County residents experience the arts in their lives?

Houston's Ethnic Communities: Third Edition

With immigration and economic transformation guiding shifts in the Houston area and across the country, this report draws on several years worth of survey data to capture the way these new realities are being experienced by members of Houston's ethnic populations.