Urban Planning

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.

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.

How METRO made bus service a priority and became a transit trendsetter

In 2015, METRO took its outdated bus network down to the studs and designed an entirely new regional transit system that made bus service less complicated and more frequent along the busiest routes. The results made transportation officials in cities across the country take notice.

Could cities, not national governments, be the ones to fight the climate crisis?

What happens if cities rethink their policies to combat climate change rather than waiting for nations to do so?

Living in walkable neighborhoods makes children richer when they grow up, new study finds

Living in walkable neighborhoods has shown to improve health, social wellbeing and general happiness, and now, a new study shows children growing up in walkable areas earn more money as adults.

Our cities will become smart only through private-public partnerships, experts say

Technology will transform our cities for the better, according to a panel hosted by the French American Chamber of Commerce and Ion Smart Cities Accelerator program and prototyping lab.

Washington is a great (baseball) town. So is Houston.

The World Series faceoff revealed some additional similarities between the two seemingly-contrasting cities.

Cemeteries as urban public spaces? This is why it could work

Some cemeteries come up with creative ways to maintain the grounds, including historic tours and respectful events. 

'Invisible Women:' How cities aren't including women in their plans

From city infrastructure to car safety to proper lighting to health, cities can do better to be more inclusive toward women's urban needs. 

How the I-45 project will affect two affordable housing communities

This post is part of a series on the I-45 project, published every Monday and Wednesday throughout June.

Houston's historic Independence Heights' complicated past, present and future with divisive freeways

This post is part of a series on the I-45 project, published every Monday and Wednesday throughout June.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco offers intimate look at gentrification's impact

The film, which opens in Houston Friday, follows one man's efforts to reclaim the home his grandfather built.

TxDOT's I-45 project could hurt a school and its community. But there are ways to mitigate the harm.

This post is part of a series on the I-45 project, published every Monday and Wednesday throughout June.

Cities with protected bike lanes are safer for everyone, including drivers themselves

A study of crash and street design data from 12 cities, including Houston, finds roads with protected bike lanes make both cycling and driving safer.

Accelerating the drive toward a paradigm shift in Houston’s transportation planning

This post is part of a series on the I-45 project, published every Monday and Wednesday throughout June.