Houston

Growth Not Catching Suburban Houston Town By Surprise

A small suburban Houston town has been planning ahead for growth that's expected to bring its population from just over 700 to nearly 40,000 in the next 15 years.

October 13, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

The Unseen City Icons

This piece from Discover looks at the iconic "invisible" things that define cities -- like Seattle's clouds, Houston's air conditioning, and L.A.'s Botox.

September 7, 2008 - Discover

The Long, Long, Long Commute

The Houston Chronicle looks at the holes in Houston's transit grid, which force some riders into ridiculously long commutes.

August 8, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

Hard to Change Houston's Rep as Nation's Worst Recycler

As the worst recycler amongst the 30 largest American cities, Houston has a lot of trash on its hands. But many obstacles stand in the way of the city closing the loop.

July 29, 2008 - The New York Times

Sierra Club Opposes Use of HOV Lanes By Paying Customers

Houston's MTA is planning to allow drivers to pay a toll to use the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on their freeways, and the local Sierra Club chapter is speaking out against the plan.

July 23, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

Houston Thinks About Changing Lifestyles to Fight Congestion

This segment from NPR features a discussion with Houston Mayor Bill White about the city's increasing congestion, the limits of zoning, and the population's reaction to rising gas prices.

June 22, 2008 - NPR

New Lines Approved For Houston Light Rail

A five-line extension of Houston's light rail system was just approved by the city council.

June 20, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

It's Not 'Zoning', But It's Zoning

This commentary argues that, though it may not be called "zoning", Houston has plenty of land use restrictions and guidelines.

May 6, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

Earth To Houston: Wake Up And Smell The Greenhouse Gas Emissions

While the American Dream Coalition celebrates the 'freedom and affordability' of Houston -- Robert Steuteville wonders why the group ignores the environmental and financial consequences of such an auto-dependent city.

April 29, 2008 - New Urban News

Looking at Houston from Vancouver

A Canadian's perspective on the "planner-free" city of Houston, America's fourth most populous city.

April 6, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

City of the Future: Houston?

Thanks to Planetizen, I found “Opportunity Urbanism,” a report that posits Houston as “an emerging paradigm for the 21st century.” (There's a related op-ed here.) The report, regrettably, is a manifesto as empty as the title -- which Kotkin clearly hopes will become a catchphrase. So why is it important?

June 28, 2007 - James S. Russell

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.