Gaps in income, educational attainment, neighborhood services and other key metrics capture what often amount to gaps in opportunity.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Financial insecurity plaguing families could cost Houston millions

Despite month after month of strong jobs reports and an economy seen as robust by most analysts, many families in Houston are struggling to make ends meet and afford basic household necessities. 

hand above water
News Story
: Dec 9, 2019
Economic Development, Housing, Urban Disparity

Public libraries are the crazy, radical ideas that might save society

In his Kinder Institute Forum talk, sociologist Eric Klinenberg discussed the amazing power of the public library system, as well as the biggest threats to this vital and sorely neglected part of America's social infrastructure.

Sociologist Eric Klinenberg speaks at the Kinder Institute Forum in Houston
Urban Edge: Dec 5, 2019
Hurricane Harvey, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

As overall job growth surges, outlook for low-wage workers darkens

Meet America's low-wage workforce: 53 million hard-working people struggling to keep their heads above water no matter what they do.

Restaurants workers work in the kitchen
News Story
: Dec 4, 2019
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Urban Disparity

Latest Research

Challenges of Social Sector Systemic Collaborations: What's Cookin' in Houston's Food Insecurity Space?

In this study, we seek to understand the nature of collaborations between organizations working in the food insecurity and food desert social spaces in Houston.
Food
Report: Mar 13, 2019
Health, Urban Disparity

Neighborhood Gentrification across Harris County: 1990 to 2016

The inventory of affordable housing has been diminishing and this report documents where in Houston it's diminishing the fastest.
New Townhomes in Austin
Report: Dec 13, 2018
Housing, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Accessing Opportunity: Employment and Commuting Patterns among Low-, Medium- and High-wage Workers in Houston

While Houston continues to claim to be an affordable city, findings show that a lack of public transportation is making living in the city more difficult to access jobs in some areas.
Aerial view of downtown Houston
Research: Oct 11, 2018
Transportation, Urban Disparity

Experts

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
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