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Urban Edge Stories by Kyle Shelton

As rents and home prices go up, once-affordable Houston grows less accessible

Dozens of key housing indicators in Houston and Harris County shifted between 2010 and 2018, and in just the past several months the area has been hit by parallel economic and public health crises that have slowed home sales, disrupted the rental market and halted new development, making it even more difficult for many area residents to find affordable housing.

Kinder Institute Research
: Jun 23, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Housing, Urban Disparity

Protests, public space and the remaking of cities

Highways that divide neighborhoods, crumbling local streets, poorly maintained public spaces and proximity to unhealthy industrial sites — impact black and brown communities far more than wealthier, predominately white neighborhoods. These inherent inequalities in the nation’s infrastructure systems are problems that arise from decades of racial inequality and disinvestment.

Black Lives Matter Plaza Washington D.C.
Urban Edge: Jun 15, 2020
Demographics, Governance, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Sharing the road isn’t radical thinking. Let’s slow down and consider the possibilities.

All day long, cars and trucks speed down Rushmore Boulevard, a high-traffic roadway that separates a pair of lifelong friends in the book “The Busiest Street in Town.” That is, until they decide to take matters into their own hands to slow the traffic and make the street safe for everyone. It may be a children’s book but the story doesn’t have to be a fairy tale.

A man on a bicycle is following that dream
Perspective
: Mar 3, 2020
Health, Placemaking, Transportation

Many residents feeling far from safe on Near Northside streets

Near Northside residents’ perception of safety and the quality of streets and sidewalks are assessed in a pair of new reports from the Kinder Institute. The findings show subpar infrastructure and fears of crime and cars are endangering many in the neighborhood.  

Near Northside from Google Earth
Kinder Institute Research
: Feb 26, 2020
Transportation, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

These 21 community initiatives are making Houston more resilient

When work to address challenges at the neighborhood level is aligned with broader citywide efforts, communities and residents are better able to respond to and recover from long-term stresses and sudden shocks.

mural featuring butterflies
Urban Edge: Feb 18, 2020

Bus rapid transit is coming. Here’s what you need to know.

Bus rapid transit — BRT for short — is part of METRO’s plan for improving public transportation in the Houston area. It will feaure 75 miles of MetroRapid service on dedicated, bus-only lanes. Here’s a breakdown of BRT.

A BRT bus in Eugene, Oregon
Feature Story
: Feb 2, 2020
Transportation

Is development fueled by transit driving residents out in some areas?

Extensions of light rail service in areas with easy access to Houston’s major job centers have brought residential and commercial development to those areas. Researchers at the Kinder Institute wanted to find out if and how transit investments impact patterns of gentrification in the city.

METRO light rail train in Houston
Kinder Institute Research
: Dec 11, 2019
Demographics, Economic Development, Housing, Transportation

Housing vouchers work but more funding is needed to help more families

Research shows housing vouchers lead to improvements for families — children, in particular. Unfortunately, for many in Houston, limits on the program are blocking their access to those opportunities.

Houston neighborhood aerial
Perspective
: Dec 2, 2019
Housing, Hurricane Harvey

Greens Bayou resiliency plans tie engagement and technical expertise together

Greens Bayou resiliency plans
Feature Story
: Nov 27, 2019
Hurricane Harvey

More Than 475,000 Harris County Renters At Flood Risk, Report Says

The City of Houston and Harris County confront a major challenge in providing multi-family housing units that are both affordable and safe from flood risk.

Neighborhood street with flooding
Urban Edge: Mar 22, 2019

Kinder Institute Speaks on Metropolitan Demographic and Housing Trends in Austin

With the current session of the Texas Legislature moving toward considering the bevy of bills filed in the 2019 session, a number of committees are in fact-finding mode.

Texas state capitol
Urban Edge: Mar 11, 2019

People With Disabilities Are Pushing for More Inclusive Rescue and Recovery Programs In Harvey's Wake

Much of the attention around the storm’s anniversary will focus on megaprojects, but, efforts to create equitable human recovery, especially for the most vulnerable, cannot be lost in the shuffle.

Family rescued during Harvey
Feature Story
: Aug 23, 2018
Health, Hurricane Harvey

Op-Ed: What Trump's Infrastructure Plan Missed About the Review Process

Do citizens really have a say over infrastructure projects? Historically, no.

Highway
Perspective
: Mar 5, 2018

Report: How Recovery Funding Works and Who Might Be Overlooked By It

Better understanding how funding works during recovery will help Houston make sure it doesn't leave anybody behind.

Diagram of how the disaster recovery process is handled.
Kinder Institute Research
: Nov 29, 2017
Governance, Hurricane Harvey

Tapping The Brakes On Public-Private Partnership in Texas

Using P3s strategically and carefully is a must. Texas still has the opportunity to do that, despite a recent vote.

Highway traffic at night
Urban Edge: May 18, 2017
Governance, Transportation

Sure, Houston Has Sprawl. But Some Areas Have East Coast Levels of Density

Pockets of density abound in Houston, but the character of those neighborhoods varies dramatically.

Gulfton neighborhood
Kinder Institute Research
: Apr 17, 2017
Housing

Bike Plan Rolls To Its Next Stage

The effort could transform Houstonians' relationship with their transportation system.

Red bike
Urban Edge: Mar 8, 2017
Transportation

We Need Your Help to Study “Near Miss” Collisions in Houston

We need your help to better understand the threats facing pedestrians and cyclists in Houston.

Beer bike racer
Kinder Institute Research
: Feb 21, 2017
Transportation

How Do You Map the Character of a City? A New Tool Offers Solutions

The historic character of a community is often obvious. But in some places the past is less obvious and its significance harder to protect

Chicago heat map
Urban Edge: Dec 15, 2016
Governance, Urban Planning

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.

Site plan for East Aldine Town Center
Kinder Institute Research
: Nov 17, 2016
Economic Development, Governance
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