Urban Edge

Stories, perspectives and insights from the Kinder Institute

Take a Glimpse At The Eerie Interior of Houston's Astrodome

The Kinder Institute takes a peek inside Houston's Astrodome, which hasn't been used on a regular basis since 1999.

How Immigrant Activist Groups in Houston Fight for a More Equal City

Research notes the ways both documented and undocumented immigrants work together on healthcare, labor and criminal justice issues.

Beautiful Garages; Self-Driving Cars; and the Resilience of Good Ideas: Urban Insights From Around The Web

While the Urban Edge strives to provide readers with daily news and insights about urban policy, we’re also voracious readers of city news ourselves. As part of a new weekly feature, senior editor Ryan Holeywell and the staff of the Kinder Institute highlight the week’s most interesting articles from around the web about urban policy and city life.

Here Are The Nine Steps for Making a Better City

Shelley Poticha, director of NRDC's urban solutions program, offers her rules for what it takes to make cities green, pleasant and walkable.

I Was a Teacher. I’m Worried My Daughter Will Follow in My Footsteps.

I fear she – like many other teachers – will be scapegoated as the reason public education is failing.

Memo to Cities: Most Cyclists Aren’t Urban Hipsters

There’s a prevailing stereotype of cyclists as upwardly mobile urbanites who use bikes by choice. But what about the working poor who bike because it’s all they can afford?

Are Transit Stations Using Modern Technology to Be More Pedestrian Friendly?

Researchers say transit station designers should do a better job using modern techniques.

Remember When Houston Was Wild?

Sixty years ago, Houston was a dense city where the wilderness was within reach. Maybe we should look to the past as we plan our future.

Albuquerque’s Panhandlers; the New Education Secretary; and Saving Venice: Urban Insights From Around The Web

A new feature highlighting the week’s interesting, important and downright weird news about cities.

What We Mean When We Talk About Immigrant “Integration”

Even when communities embrace foreigners, integration can be fraught with hurdles.