The Houston Downtown Management District and Central Houston Inc. have released a new 20-year vision for Downtown Houston.

Nancy Sarnoff reports from Houston: "Downtown officials [have released] an ambitious vision for the heart of the city, a plan they say builds on the dramatic growth of recent years while considering the technological advances and cultural shifts facing modern metropolises."
"Plan Downtown" sets a 20-year agenda for Downtown Houston that includes a target for 12,000 new residents and the "Green Loop"—"a five-mile transportation and recreation circuit connecting neighborhoods along the edges of downtown." According to a separate article by Rachel Dovey, the plan is organized into four "pillars":
- Downtown is Houston’s Greatest Place to Be
- Downtown is the Premier Business and Government Location
- Downtown is the Standard for Urban Livability
- Downtown is the Innovative Leader in Connectivity
In total, the plan includes 144 specific recommendations.
FULL STORY: 'Green Loop' is the center of a downtown plan

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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