From small to big spaces, urban design influences how we experience places and our research strives to make that experience better.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

The education—and miseducation—of an urban planner

James Rojas has spent the better part of his career reconciling his formal training with his lived experience as a Gay Chicano.

Urban planner James Rojas
Perspective
: Jul 17, 2020
Sun Belt, Urban Planning

Why are Houston pedestrians forced to play a real-life game of ‘Frogger’?

Under Texas law, drivers are required to yield the right of way to people in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked. But for the most part, Houston drivers ignore the rules. In the end, the driving laws in the state are not protecting vulnerable road users. 

National Route 135 runs alongside Shirahama Beach in Japan
Perspective
: Jul 6, 2020
Governance, Health, Transportation, Urban Planning

On this Juneteenth, a look at how an expanded ‘Black commons’ could help undo slavery’s racist legacy

Land loss has plagued Black America since emancipation — is it time to look again at ‘Black commons’ and collective ownership?

Feature Story
: Jun 19, 2020
Economic Development, Housing, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Latest Research

The 2020 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston

This first State of Housing report compares how dozens of key housing indicators in Harris County and Houston have shifted between 2010 and 2018.
Report: Jun 23, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Housing, Transportation, Urban Planning

The Urban Sun Belt: An Overview

This report documents the unique set of urban challenges Sun Belt Cities face.
Report: Jun 11, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Governance, Sun Belt, Urban Planning

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2020 Results

For close to four decades, the Kinder Houston Area Survey has been tracking the changing attitudes and experiences of Houstonians.
Report: May 18, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Experts

Bill Fulton

William Fulton

  • Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Research Oversight Committee, Urban Data Platform
713-348-2698
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Head shot of Han Park

John Park

  • Senior Research Fellow, Development, Transportation and Placemaking, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
713-348-8127
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Head shot of Kyle Shelton

Kyle Shelton

  • Deputy Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
713-348-3683
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