Texas
Dallas Hopes to Boost Economy With TV and Film Tax Breaks
The Dallas city council voted unanimously to request a designation from the state that would allow the city to offer sales and use tax exemptions for redevelopment of TV and film production facilities.
Austin Bans Windowless Bedrooms
Thousands of University of Texas students live in rooms with no natural light. Many report detrimental mental and physical health impacts.
States Are Banning Guaranteed Income Programs
Four states now have laws in place that prevent cities and counties from creating or continuing guaranteed income programs, and several more have tried or are trying.
Will Texas Really Get a Bullet Train?
While state leaders remain silent, federal transportation officials are touting the proposed project’s benefits.
Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size
Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.
The True Cost of Texas Highways
An explainer of the monetary, environmental, and social costs of exuberant road building.
Severe Flooding Calls Attention to Houston’s Home Buyout Struggles
Recent extreme flooding along the San Jacinto River has prompted a review of the progress of Harris County’s flood-prone home buyout program.
Houston to Make a Car-Free Downtown Corridor Permanent
A seven-block stretch of Main Street will be permanently blocked off to traffic and enhanced to create a vibrant, pedestrian friendly zone.
Houston Road Safety Project at Risk
Mayor Whitmire reversed his support for a planned road safety project that includes lane reductions, putting $40 million in federal funding in jeopardy.
Austin Seeks Federal Grants for Freeway Caps as I-35 Expansion Plan Moves Forward
With TxDOT unwilling to cancel a controversial freeway expansion project, the city is looking for funding to mitigate the projected impacts.
Houston Metro to Reduce BRT Service
The city’s Silver Line rapid transit has not been attracting as many riders as originally projected.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
Amtrak Takes Lead on Texas Central Rail
The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Texas Law Could Limit Local Control Over Zoning
If upheld, a Texas law would likely prevent cities from enacting zoning reform that would increase density or eliminate single-family-only zoning.
Houston Mayor Pauses Complete Streets Projects
The move raises concerns among road safety advocates who point out that traffic deaths continue to rise.
US, Japan Governments Express Support for Texas HSR
A proposed high-speed rail project would link Houston and Dallas using Japanese Shinkansen technology.
Houston Supportive Housing Development Sparks Debate
Critics say a proposed apartment building would negatively impact the neighborhood’s walkability.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
