The Massive Growth Along the I-35 Corridor in Texas

In a Forbes piece, Joel Kotkin details the rapid growth in population and economy (especially jobs) of Austin and San Antonio and the emerging city of San Marcos between the two.

1 minute read

October 21, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Double Texas Rainbow

Shane Sullivan / Shutterstock

Austin and San Antonio have been growing for years and, according to a Forbes article by Joel Koltkin, that trend is unlikely to stop.

"If you were to look for the next great American metropolis, there’s probably no better bet than the emerging San Antonio-Austin corridor," Koltkin claims. He points to the area's universities, low land costs and booming job growth and as key elements for sustained growth.

While San Antonio and Austin grow, much of their success spreads outward. The piece contends, "as is usual in Texas and most American cities, urban growth tends to expand outwards, not only for population but also for jobs." The surge of these two cities is also fueling the San Marcos area between the two.  In the coming decade, this bit of Texas will be a place to watch. 

[The post was updated with the correct name of the author.]

Wednesday, October 12, 2016 in Forbes

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nilu Jenks wears a long gray coat and speaks with one man and two women outside.

Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember

Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.

November 8 - Reason

People sit on wooden benches on a bus in Miami

New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks

Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.

November 8 - Miami New Times

Two men install solar panels on the roof of a house.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms

The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.

November 8 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.