Insights

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.

Education Partnerships Target 'Opportunity Youth,' But Structural Challenges Remain

While family obligations, financial insecurity and unfamiliarity with higher education systems keep many young adults on the sidelines, several efforts hope to offer a hand.

Gov. Greg Abbott Names School Finance, Property Tax Reform Emergency Items

Texas Tribune | The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat.

Urban Review: Tracking Community Development Dollars, Walking Back Texas' Flawed Voter Citizenship Check, Improving Houston Metro's Long-Range Plan and More

This week, who actually receives all those federal dollars intended for community development, why Texas is reversing claims about large numbers of potentially ineligible voters on the rolls, making Metro truly cutting edge and more.

As Harvey Recovery Continues, Work Remains to Improve Process for Vulnerable Populations

A new report from the Living Hope Wheelchair Association highlights the challenges and opportunities of communities contending with "pre-existing conditions" in disaster relief and recovery.

Private Data Misuse Starts With Users Not Understanding Consent Forms, Scholar Says

Consent forms are meant to be easy to comprehend, but due to length and complexity, research shows people aren't reading.