Living up to its reputation as a state who's residents like things big, Texas is home to three of the largest megachurches in the nation.
"What is a megachurch? According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, a megachurch has a sustained average weekly attendance of 2,000 persons or more at its worship services."
These churches are springing up throughout Texas -- "and are looking for large parcels with abundant parking. Former retail, industrial and other large facilities are strong candidates for adaptive reuse by growing churches."
"Texas' (and the nation's) largest megachurch is Lakewood Church (above), housed in downtown Houston's Compaq Center, the former arena of the Houston Rockets. Lakewood spent $75 million to renovate the arena and is paying $12.1 million in rent to the City of Houston for the next 30 years, with an option to extend the lease for an additional 30 years for $22.6 million."
Thanks to Clayton Husband
FULL STORY: Good Heavens! Texas Churches Grow to Biblical Proportions
How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning
An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.
Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs
When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.
Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?
Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?
How Microgrids Can Boost Community Resilience
Localized power grids, sometimes sourced from renewable sources, can make energy systems more resilient and reliable.
Looking for the Light in a Dark Age
Professor Glenn Lyons offers insights about the challenges facing planners in times of rapid technological, cultural, and social change, in Local Transport Today's first ‘Deep Thinking Initiative’ article.
Menlo Park to Develop Parking Lots Into Housing
The city will issue a request for proposals to build subsidized housing on up to three downtown parking lots.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
Placer County
Skagit Transit
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service