Shifting Attitudes Toward Walkable Urbanism in Houston

According to this survey, many Houston residents increasingly prefer mixed-use areas over single-family suburbia. But there's only so much downtown available.

1 minute read

May 9, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Houston

Silvio Ligutti / Shutterstock

Houston isn't exactly known for walkable urbanism. Glissette Santana writes, "Fewer than 7 percent of city residents walk, bike or take transit to work, according to Census estimates." At the same time, "this year, Houston finally approved a bike plan, after much delay; it finalized its latest light-rail expansion; and it launched a new pedestrian-friendly plaza in the heart of downtown."

The Kinder Houston Area Survey 2017, a long-standing regional survey out of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, shows a bump in support for mixed-use lifestyles. "When asked if they would prefer to live in 'an area with a mix of developments, including homes, shops and restaurants,' rather than in 'a single-family residential area,' 56 percent of the survey's respondents said they'd prefer the mixed-use area."

Much of this enthusiasm may be coming from Millennials' purported preference for urban living. But the question is whether that preference, if it really exists, will continue. Predictably, prices are also escalating in downtown Houston, which may shut out many urban hopefuls. 

Monday, May 1, 2017 in The Urban Edge

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Sign for MASS MoCA on brick building.

Old Walls, New Homes

From forgotten buildings to thriving neighborhoods, adaptive reuse has the power to transform our cities.

15 minutes ago - PlaceShakers

Dense informal settlement on steep hillside in Brazil.

Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy

Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.

December 11 - Time Magazine

Close-up of person on road bike riding on protected bike lane separated by concrete curb from street.

Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure

Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.

December 11 - LA Public Press

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.