Insights

Urban Review: SimCity's Influence, An Atlas of Inequality and the Problems with Going Cashless

This week, SimCity's lasting legacy, mapping micro-level segregation, why cashless businesses are discriminatory and more.

Fewer Counselors, More Police Officers For Some Schools, New Report Shows

Millions of students across the country are in schools with police but no counselors, nurses, psychologists or social workers, per new analysis.

School Funding Among Top Priorities for Texas Voters and Lawmakers

New survey numbers from the University of Texas and Texas Tribune show voter priorities for this legislative session but where are lawmakers focusing?

Urban Review: Unequal School Funding, A Note on Upzoning, Covering Pedestrian Deaths and More

This week, a big report captures between districts disparities in a segregated school landscape, a word of caution for the density-minded, the real Green Book and more.

Jeff Speck Takes On Current I-45 Expansion Plan, Inspires More Action

City planner and author Jeff Speck sparked Houstonians to join actions aimed at the current I-45 expansion plan by TxDOT.

Jeff Speck, Author of 'Walkable City,' Shares His Urban Rules

In his latest book, Walkable City Rules, Speck makes it easy for cities to improve access and walkability.

Better Re-Entry Housing Programs, Code Violation Reporting and More Among Affordable Housing Proposals by Rice Students

The Third Annual Houston Centered Policy Challenge highlighted how the Bayou City can tackle affordable housing in extremely unique ways.

Survey Finds Extensive Mental, Physical Health Impacts of Hurricane Harvey

With roughly 10,000 respondents as of early January, the Hurricane Harvey Registry released preliminary findings about the storm's health and housing impacts.

Urban Review: A Potential LA Mega-storm, The Struggle to Define Suburbs And One Big Thing Missing from a Bold Childcare Proposal

This week, what a rare but potentially catastrophic mega-storm might mean for Los Angeles, the many meanings of "suburban," where a proposal for universal childcare falls short and more.

At Rice University's Metro Day, Locals Share Their Concerns About MetroNEXT

Metro is making its rounds across Houston to get feedback about the MetroNEXT draft plans to understand what Houstonians want out of a public transit system.

How Are Young Adults' Housing Moves Affecting Neighborhood Diversity?

A new study uses longitudinal data to follow young adults as they leave their parents' homes.

Urban Review: Public vs. Private Investment, What's Left of California's Bullet Train and Some Property Tax Relief in Texas - Maybe

This week, why private investment needs to be considered alongside public dollars, what happened to California's innovative rail project, a painful proposal for property tax relief in Texas and more.

Addressing 'The Last Remaining and the Biggest Form of Segregation'

Government-created residential segregation is at the heart of a number of inequities. And the country is obligated to enact remedies, argues Richard Rothstein.

Bike-friendly Cities Should Be Designed for Everyone, Not Just for Wealthy White Cyclists

The Conversation | The single biggest group of Americans who bike to work live in households that earn less than $10,000 yearly.

Urban Review: Why Uber and Lyft Are Hurting Transit, Maternal Depression and Economic Mobility and The Role of Public Testimony

This week, more bad news about Uber and Lyft's impact on transit, the link between maternal mental health and mobility, whether public testimony really changes policy and more.