Texas Metropolitan Blueprint: A Policy Agenda to Secure the Competitiveness and Prosperity of Texas
The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint lays out recommendations for policies that address the most important economic development, land use, housing, infrastructure, and transportation challenges of the state’s metropolitan areas.
Governing A Growing Region: Addressing Challenges of Service Provision and Development in Houston
This report takes a regional view to find major issues with the way our growth is governed.
This dashboard uses subdivision plat data to analyze the urban growth of Harris and Fort Bend counties between 1950 and 2015.
Developing Houston: Land-Use Regulation in the “Unzoned City” and its Outcomes
This report lays out the existing elements of Houston’s land development system and highlights several areas where it could be improved.
What Happens in the Shadows: Streetlights and How They Relate to Crime
This report analyzes crime data in relation to streetlight distribution across Houston.
Amenitizing Urban Waterways: Planning Public Space Improvements with Vulnerable Communities in Mind
How can cities ensure that urban waterfront redevelopment benefits as many people as possible?
Learning from Close Calls: A Glimpse Into Near-Miss Experiences
A report analyzing the near-misses of more than 100 cyclists, walkers and public transit users.
Dangerous Crossings: The Links Between Intersections and Crashes in Houston
A report about the relationship between intersections and crashes in Houston.
Taking Stock: Housing Trends in the Houston Area
A report analyzing housing trends in the Houston metropolitan area.
Building Stronger Suburbs: Adaptability and Resilience Best Practices From Suburban Houston
A report on how suburbs can adapt to modern challenges and opportunities.
Houston in Flux: Understanding a Decade of Bayou City Development
This report quantifies, visualizes and analyzes new construction and demolition in Harris County between 2005 and 2015.
Redeveloping the East End: Catalyst for Sustainable Transitions
This report provides recommendations for sustainable development in the East End neighborhood.
Rice Village: Parking, Management and the Built Environment
The following report offers an analysis of three major issues facing Rice Village — parking, management and infrastructure.
Tall building council looks upward to support a more walkable, sustainable Houston
In the 2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey, about 60% of respondents expressed a desire to live in a mixed-use development instead of a single-family home.
Houston needs improving. Are Houstonians really willing to pay for it?
From parks to police to garbage pickup, our surveys have tapped into a surprising level of support for raising revenues to help the city of Houston improve services and raise the quality of life across the city. What should we make of that? Are Houstonians really willing to pay more for better local government?
Could parks be a panacea for what ails Houston? Here’s what the research says
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, urban parks and greenspace provided welcome respite and recreation when people had to spend a lot of time indoors. That renewed appreciation for parks confirmed what many researchers have been pointing out for decades: They provide cities huge benefits for public health, the environment and the economy.
Highways, flooding and sprawl: How Houston could have a bigger say in the region's future
Back in 2021, the Houston region's governing council offered up a final resolution of support for the contentious I-45 expansion project. The measure passed 14-11, with suburban members narrowly outvoting those representing Houston and Harris County. The vote marked an episode of stark division and intense scrutiny for the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). It also raised questions about regional governance and how the Houston area’s urban and suburban populations should be represented.
Q&A: How a green approach could help Houston shrink its flood risks—and its carbon footprint
If Houston took a nature-based approach to its drainage systems, it could help mitigate climate change, lessen the city’s severe heat and create job opportunities among other benefits, according to a recent report by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
Ten Across Summit: The Future is Here
The Ten Across Summit will convene a premier group of leaders and experts to discuss important issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, equity, democracy and risk.
Experts discuss how technology, policy and transportation interact, and how they can be used to develop a city that functions better for all communities.
Rice University
Kraft Hall
6100 Main Street, Suite 305
Houston, TX 77005-1892
