Suburbs

After Hurricane Harvey, flood insurance created windfalls and fault lines for the middle class

Friendswood, a close-knit suburb southeast of Houston that routinely makes lists for being the “best place to raise a family,” also serves as a case study for how flaws in the federal approach to flood insurance and disaster recovery aid resulted in fractured outcomes even among similarly situated middle-class neighbors after Hurricane Harvey.

The Woodlands puts incorporation question up for a vote

The Houston suburb of The Woodlands has been called an “invisible city” for the dense tree canopy that shrouds the extent of its development. It is invisible perhaps in another way: It’s not a city at all, but rather a patchwork of special districts, service contracts and interlocal agreements—a tenuous marvel of public-private partnership. But that could soon change.

Floods vs. forever homes: What drove decisions to rebuild rather than relocate after Harvey?

After catastrophic floods—like those after Hurricane Harvey dumped several feet of rain on the Houston area four years ago—survivors generally have two options: rebuild, perhaps with the help of flood insurance or federal reimbursement programs, or relocate, perhaps by selling a damaged home or waiting for a government buyout program. A new study has found that the route people choose might have more to do with their pre-flood plans rather than the scale of the disaster itself. This has implications for how policies are designed to encourage resiliency and managed retreat.

Q+A: The Persistent Appeal of the Suburbs

Once racially exclusive, suburbs are now diversifying. But with renewed interest in cities, what will this mean for residents?

Report: Millennials are Flocking to the Suburbs

Houston's millennial population is growing more quickly in the suburbs than in the urban core.

Understanding Misconceptions About Health Disparity in Houston

Air pollution in Houston doesn't confine itself to low-income neighborhoods.

Houston Suburb Named America's Fastest-Growing City

Several Texas communities top the list.

Latest Podcast: How to Build Stronger Suburbs

If you think you know the suburbs, think again.

In Houston's Near Northwest, a Community Looks to Reinvent Itself, Once Again

As suburbs seek to add amenities, those with fewer resources find creative ways to adapt.

Cities Shouldn't be Afraid to Look to the Suburbs for Inspiration

Stereotypes about suburbs abound. But they are dynamic parts of any region, and they may offer important lessons.

Building Stronger Suburbs: Adaptability and Resilience Best Practices From Suburban Houston

A report on how suburbs can adapt to modern challenges and opportunities.

"Suburban Urbanism" Is No Longer Just a Niche

Regardless of where they live, urban amenities are no longer a bonus but a requirement for many millennials.

How Atlanta Decided It Can’t Out Suburb the Suburbs

Atlanta's planning department is pursuing a zoning overhaul that would alter the character of the famously sprawling place.