Head shot of Carlos Villegas
  • Staff Researcher, Urban and Metropolitan Governance
713-348-8061

Carlos Villegas is a staff researcher at Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Villegas earned master’s degrees in public policy and applied economics at the University of Houston. Prior to working at the Kinder Institute, Villegas worked as an adjunct professor in economics at the Lone Star College System. His work revolves around issues in urban and metropolitan governance. He specializes in data analytics and econometrics and their application to urban policy issues.

To see all Urban Edge stories written by Carlos Villegas, click here. 

Issues
Governance
Urban Planning

In the News

COVID-19 crisis hits Houston harder than other Texas cities
Mirage News
May 28, 2020
Houston es una de las ciudades más afectadas económicamente por el coronavirus
Univision
May 28, 2020
How Real-Time information Can Assist Insurers During Natural Disasters
Claims Journal
Nov 5, 2018
Rice study revives idea of consolidating Harris County law enforcement
Houston Chronicle
Sep 6, 2018
See how much Houston cities, school districts spend on law enforcement
Houston Business Journal
Sep 6, 2018
Federal Authorities Missed Nearly Half of Social Media Distress Calls during Harvey
Houston Public Media
Aug 24, 2018
Disaster recovery system ‘cannot be sustained,’ report finds
Houston Chronicle
Jul 19, 2018
Federal disaster recovery system Is unsustainable, Kinder Institute says
Houston Public Media
Jul 18, 2018
Related Urban Edge
an apartment complex in Alief neighborhood of Houston

Many in Harris County find themselves living farther and farther from jobs

For the average Harris County household, the combined costs of housing and transportation are at the edge of affordability. Add to that the growing distance between home locations and jobs, and the costs quickly can become unsustainable, particularly for lower-income households.

Kinder Institute Research: Aug 12, 2020
Demographics, Housing, Placemaking, Transportation
Related 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
Related Research

Troubled Fiscal Times: A Comparison of Revenue Sources and Service Levels for Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio

This report examines the revenue structure and service levels for Texas' three largest cities: Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
Report: May 28, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Governance
Related Research

The Maker Economy: The Growing Demand of Small Urban Manufacturers in Houston

With guidance, funding, and technical support from TX/ RX Labs, the Houston office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and BeehiveFund/TMAC Gulf Coast, the Kinder Institute team set out to raise awareness around small urban manufacturing in Houston, culminating in this report.
Report: Nov 21, 2019
Economic Development
Related Urban Edge
Aerial view of Houston suburbs

Could A Regional Approach to Revenue Help The Houston Area's Patchwork System of Governance and Services?

Regional governance in the Houston area currently produces disparities between communities and frustrates regional challenges. Regional revenue sharing offers a different approach without ceding local autonomy.

Kinder Institute Research: Oct 25, 2018
Governance
Related Research
Suburb homes

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.
Oct 25, 2018
Governance, Housing, Urban Planning
Related Research
Houston police car

Collaborations and Overlapping Services in Harris County Law Enforcement

This report will lay out the landscape of law enforcement in Harris County and document existing overlapping services.
Sep 6, 2018
Governance
Related Urban Edge
Smart phone home screen with apps

What Twitter Can Teach Us About Hurricane Harvey

Platforms like Twitter can capture immediate, on-the-ground needs in an unfolding disaster and can help fill gaps in response.

Kinder Institute Research: Aug 22, 2018
Governance, Hurricane Harvey
Related Research
Three women being rescued by boat by two men during a flood

Lessons from Harvey: Crisis Informatics for Urban Resilience

This report suggests that public agencies work closely with social media companies and the operators of crowdsourced sites to install plans to incorporate these systems into the disaster recovery process.
Report: Aug 22, 2018
Governance, Hurricane Harvey
Related Research
People wade through flood waters during Hurricane Harvey.

Rethinking Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Funding in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

This research brief provides context about how the recovery process is unfolding in the Hurricane Harvey-affected region and how the area can prevent a similar situation from happening again.
Jul 18, 2018
Hurricane Harvey
Related Urban Edge
Flood rescue with Texas National Guard

How To Improve The Recovery Funding Process

Eleven months post-Hurricane Harvey, what lessons have been learned?

Kinder Institute Research: Jul 18, 2018
Governance, Hurricane Harvey
Related Urban Edge
Bayou scene after flooding

Reports: Harvey's Impact on Small Businesses, Individual Finances

Three new reports look at spending patterns in the wake of Hurricane Harvey as well as impacts on small businesses.

News Story: Mar 1, 2018
Related Research
Harvey flooding

Funding Primer: Harvey Relief and Recovery

This report seeks to inform decision makers about the recovery funding process and potential gaps.
Report: Nov 29, 2017
Governance, Hurricane Harvey
Related Urban Edge
Chart showing the economics of disasters

How Houston Will Fund (At Least Part Of) Its Recovery

And why you should submit all those volunteer hours to the city.

Oct 12, 2017
Governance, Hurricane Harvey