Urban Edge

Stories, perspectives and insights from the Kinder Institute

To tackle pandemic racism, we need to take action, not just take to social media

Our public transportation systems were built on a foundation of racism, and the only way to truly fix them may be to raze them and rebuild from the ground up.

For more and more Houstonians, dreams of homeownership remain just that

In the past decade, as home prices and rents have increased faster than incomes for many residents of Houston and Harris County, buying a home has become increasingly difficult, according to Kinder Institute research.

What transit equity means to a transit-dependent rider in a car-centric city

Janis Scott cares deeply about transit equity. Known in the community as the “Bus Lady,” Scott has been riding METRO all of her life and considers public transit her lifeline to the world.

Where does Houston rank among America’s least (and most) segregated cities?

Racial segregation still prevails in most U.S. cities, but it varies widely across the nation, according to a report from City Observatory.

Fine-particle air pollution has decreased across the US, but poor and minority communities are still the most polluted

A new study shows that while fine particle air pollution has declined nationwide over the past 40 years, the health and environmental benefits haven't been shared evenly.

What transit agencies get wrong about equity, and how to get it right

All transit agencies must grapple with committing the resources necessary to effectively identify inequity and address it. In 2020, the mandate to ensure an equitable transportation system is more urgent than ever.

Less space for parking is a crucial step toward walkability in Houston

By design, Houston is car-dependent. Yet, Kinder Surveys have shown that half of Houstonians want to live where they can walk more and drive less. Recently approved ordinances that promote walkability in neighborhoods should help. Importantly, in certain areas, the new regulations will eliminate and reduce minimum parking requirements, which are considered costly, unfair and inefficient by many experts.

5 ways to help take racism out of disaster recovery

As Hurricane Laura makes landfall in Texas, many Houston-area residents — particularly in the Northeast part of the city — are still trying to recover from the devastation Harvey brought three years ago. An upcoming study suggests several changes to improve the disaster recovery system and make it more just and equitable.

Racism has shaped public transit, and it’s riddled with inequities

From funding, planning and infrastructure, to design and policing, many transit agencies essentially have built two systems with different standards for “choice” and “dependent” riders (that is to say white and Black).

Libraries are crucial to disaster recovery, but the coronavirus is keeping them closed

In many places, the public library often functions as a community center — a free and shared space that provides crucial social infrastructure for neighborhoods. That’s especially true when a disaster such as Hurricane Harvey hits. But what happens when a crisis like COVID-19 keeps libraries closed for five months and counting.