'Center for Opportunity Urbanism' Think Tank Launched in Houston

A new think tank to promote suburban growth has been established in Houston by arguably the media's highest-profile supporters of suburban growth.

1 minute read

March 5, 2015, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Nancy Sarnoff reports that Joel Kotkin has launched a new think tank, to be based in Houston. Kotkin will serve as the group's executive director, while Wendell Cox and blogger Tory Gattis will serve as senior fellows.

Sarnoff quotes a statement from the organization in describing the think tank's agenda: "The center offers a counterpoint to current thinking on smart growth, forced densification and opposition to suburban development…"

The think tank's website promises content on urban issues, small cities, suburbs, housing, planning, demographics, economics, and education.

The website's posts date back to late December, with the announcement of the 10th Annual Demographic International Housing Affordability Survey among the site's first posts. But some of the site's posts are obviously reprinted from other sources, like this post from January 11, 2015 that was also published by the Washington Post in October 2014. The group's twitter feed so far has five followers and zero tweets.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

6 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News