Urban Edge

Sharp insights. Smart solutions. Better cities.

Urban Review: Hot Cities, Emergency Prep in Houston and Another Anti-Homeless Ordinance Struck Down

This week, as cities heat up, how are they addressing rising temperatures? Plus, a look at newly released data on self-reported emergency preparedness in the Houston metropolitan area, the latest court ruling on a sidewalk sleeping ban in Boise and more.

Harris County's Contract Deputy Program Presents Funding and Equity Concerns

The program allows private entities to contract for law enforcement patrol but it presents funding and equity challenges.

Report Details Possible Law Enforcement Consolidations and Collaborations

With dozens of law enforcement agencies across Harris County, there is potential for overlapping services.

City Puts Land Bank, Recovery Dollars to Work with New Single-Family Home Construction

A retooled land bank program seeks to improve the city's affordable housing construction record while coordinating influx of disaster recovery funding.

Urban Review: Spatial Mismatch, Cash Bail and Harvey's Deadly Legacy

This week, more research on the impact of living far away from jobs, an effective end to cash bail in California and why Harris County's count of Harvey-related deaths could be too low.

To Pay for Trauma Centers, State Program Sinks Thousands of Texas Drivers into Deep Debt

Texas Tribune | Though lawmakers acknowledge the policy disproportionately hurts the poor, they've struggled to eliminate it.

Evictions Before and After Harvey

While some areas saw marked increases, others experienced high numbers of eviction case filings before and after the storm.

Why the Flood Bond is Important But Not Enough

There's no way to flood-proof Houston, but making it more prepared will take a variety of approaches and a lot of coordination.

People With Disabilities Are Pushing for More Inclusive Rescue and Recovery Programs In Harvey's Wake

Much of the attention around the storm’s anniversary will focus on megaprojects, but, efforts to create equitable human recovery, especially for the most vulnerable, cannot be lost in the shuffle.

What Twitter Can Teach Us About Hurricane Harvey

Platforms like Twitter can capture immediate, on-the-ground needs in an unfolding disaster and can help fill gaps in response.