Urban Edge

Stories, perspectives and insights from the Kinder Institute

What Makes Transit Successful? Survey Says It's Frequency, Reliability and Shorter Travel Times

Riders value frequent service more than almost anything else. Wi-fi at bus stops? Not so much.

Why Is It So Hard to Improve American Policing?

The techniques associated with "democratic policing" reforms are well-known. But they bump up against political and financial realities of the 12,000-plus local police agencies across the U.S.

Latest Podcast: Understanding the Debate Over Education Funding

Kinder Institute experts discuss the status of education funding in Texas, and the history of construction and demolition patterns in Houston.

Weekly Roundup: Can Silicon Valley Build the City of the Future?

The folks behind Y Combinator want to put their tech prowess toward urban improvements.

High Hopes But Few Details for Waterfront Redevelopment in East End

A developer who's won praise for mixed-used projects acquired bayou-front property in the East End.

Why Educators Should Be Paying Close Attention to Pharr, Texas

The South Texas school district is winning national acclaim for its approach to engaging high school dropouts.

LA Metro's Innovation Policy: Consider Any Good Idea

The transit agency's newly-created Office of Extraordinary Innovation is tasked with finding the next big thing in transportation.

Austin Pursues Ambitious Housing Overhaul

Texas' capital city is looking to address its famously expensive housing.

Cities Are Infected With "Mega-Event Syndrome." One Geographer Says He Has the Cure

Events like the Olympics and World Cup often become headaches for cities and fail to live up to the economic hype. A geographer says cities need to wean themselves off their addition to those spectacles.

Weekly Roundup: Phoenix Officials Work to Create a Downtown Reborn

Highlighting the week’s interesting, important and downright weird news about cities.