Urban Edge

Insights, perspectives and stories about building better cities and better lives

School Closures Tend to Displace Black, Poor Students With Few Positive Outcomes

An analysis of 27 school closures in Houston found that students were rarely transferred to the district's highest-performing schools.

Weekly Roundup: What It Would Mean to Have a Former Mayor As Vice President

Tim Kaine is the kind of guy whose "eyes lit up at the mention of land-use regulations," according to one observer.

Historic Freedmen's Town Houses Could Become City Landmarks

A group of Freedmen's Town homes could be the first public housing units in Houston to get the city's historical designation. The move is part of a growing movement that recognizes the links between housing and preservation.

Surveys Indicate Most Houston METRO Riders Happy With Service

But only half of Houston survey respondents say their homes are well-served by transit.

New Podcast Episode: Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley

The former lawmaker discusses data, his time in office, and the 2016 presidential campaign.

How Questions About Density Complicate the Sun Belt Growth Narrative

Sun Belt cities are growing -- but more often than not, it's happening in a less-than-urban way.

Weekly Roundup: In the Country's Most Expensive Cities, It Takes Too Long to Build

In some places, it can take more than a year for a developer to secure a building permit, leading to higher housing costs for everyone in town.

In New Transportation Plan, Nashville Offers Model For Sun Belt Cities

The plan focuses on relatively quick, incremental steps that can have big impacts.

Millennials Aren't So Different After All, According to Analysis of Travel Survey

Researchers say millennials are showing signs of settling into the patterns of prior generations

Houston METRO Chair Shares Five Big Ideas for System's Future

Carrin Patman discusses Houston METRO's plans for an Uptown connection; Hobby airport; and how she plans to coordinate with City Hall.