Urban Planning

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In 2015, METRO took its outdated bus network down to the studs and designed an entirely new regional transit system that made bus service less complicated and more frequent along the busiest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. 

Texas cities 'surprisingly' featured in report about combating green gentrification

Park improvements and gentrification are said to go hand in hand, but a new report sheds light on how this trend can stop. 

How American cities are handling neighborhood change, gentrification and displacement

According to a Kinder Institute report released last year, the pace of neighborhood change in Houston has accelerated since the year 2000.

'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. 

Houston's Walkable Places Committee presents plan for more pedestrian-friendly city

A Q&A with Bill Baldwin, Houston planning commissioner and chair of the Walkable Places Committee, reveals his goals for Houston.

Houston extends minimum parking exemptions into East End, Midtown

Car-centric Houston gets a little less car-centric.

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.