Urban Edge Stories by Kyle Shelton

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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