Could parks be a panacea for what ails Houston? Here’s what the research says
URBAN EDGE : October 19, 2023
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, urban parks and greenspace provided welcome respite and recreation when people had to spend a lot of time indoors. That renewed appreciation for parks confirmed what many researchers have been pointing out for decades: They provide cities huge benefits for public health, the environment and the economy.
Highways, flooding and sprawl: How Houston could have a bigger say in the region's future
URBAN EDGE : May 29, 2023
Back in 2021, the Houston region's governing council offered up a final resolution of support for the contentious I-45 expansion project. The measure passed 14-11, with suburban members narrowly outvoting those representing Houston and Harris County. The vote marked an episode of stark division and intense scrutiny for the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). It also raised questions about regional governance and how the Houston area’s urban and suburban populations should be represented.
From Acres Homes to Willowbrook: Making Harris County data more sensible and accessible with CTAs
URBAN EDGE : April 30, 2023
Researchers and policymakers trying to study Harris County have a daunting task before them. It is the third-most populous county in the United States; if it were its own state, it would be bigger than Rhode Island in land area and would be ranked 25th in population. At this size, a single Houston neighborhood could have a population exceeding that of many Texas counties.
Why the pedestrian experience shouldn’t be so ... pedestrian
URBAN EDGE : February 9, 2020
Transit equity benefits all of society — both those who use it and those who don’t. It provides access to jobs, schools and other opportunities to underserved communities, people who can’t afford the costs related to owning a car as well as those who use it because of convenience or to limit their contribution to the problems of congestion and pollution. In turn, the reductions in traffic and emissions they represent benefit those who drive. But we should also consider the equity of infrastructure such as sidewalks, crosswalks and drainage, all of which affect connectivity, accessibility and safety for people who walk, roll and ride bikes in Houston.