Urban Edge

Sharp insights. Smart solutions. Better cities.

Abandoned properties are making Houston hotter. Could these changes turn down the heat?

Abandoned buildings and paved-over vacant lots are cranking up the heat in Houston. Local leaders have some avenues for turning down the temperature — without having to break out the bulldozer.

Texas’ fastest-growing path to ‘college readiness’ leaves many high schoolers unprepared

College prep courses are booming in high schools, but mounting evidence shows they’re not equipping students for success.

How can Houston help more locals climb the income ladder? 3 economic mobility experts offer their take.

The region's first Economic Mobility Summit spurred conversation and ideas for helping more Houstonians improve their long-term earnings outlook.

Houston reports fewest available beds in 20-plus years as unsheltered homelessness rises

A growing number of Houstonians are living on the street, and there’s a big factor playing into the rise.

FEMA buyouts vs. risky real estate: New maps reveal post-flood migration patterns across the US

New research and maps show most people with homes in flood-prone areas sell their properties instead of taking a federal buyout.

Texas’ early childhood teachers need more specialized training. These new opportunities offer a path.

The Texas Education Agency and several colleges are making moves to prepare teachers for serving the state's youngest students.

What’s Texas State Technical College? A look at the school behind Proposition 1 on voters’ ballots.

For most Texans, the first vote they’ll cast this election cycle revolves around a little-known school with big plans for serving the state’s workforce.

Harris County flood resilience plan aims to ready residents, businesses for next big storm

After being stranded in his Jacinto City home by Hurricane Harvey floodwaters, Francisco Cedillo considers flooding the most stressful part of living in Harris County.

Texas has a robust system for measuring postsecondary readiness. Here’s how it can get even better.

Kinder Institute research shows the state's "college, career and military readiness" framework could benefit from better collaboration and consistency.

A key federal report on food insecurity is ending. How local data can fill the gap.

The recent cancellation of a federal report measuring food insecurity means more work on the plates of nonprofits and researchers working to combat hunger in Houston.