Texas

Reviving Struggling Urban Areas with Parks

Three cities -- St. Louis, Houston and Detroit -- have gained new urban parks that are playing big roles in reviving parts of town.

August 3, 2010 - The Washington Post

5 Frustrating Things about the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts

The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts achieves an impressive collection of architectural icons but fails to tie them together with inviting outdoor spaces for the public, says Jared Langevin.

July 20, 2010 - jargon

Auto Dependence Is Central To Asthma Epidemic

Arlington, TX Mayor Robert Chuck is also a physician, acutely aware of the effects of ozone air pollution in his city. In this Q & A with Grist's Jonathan Hiskes, he describes ozone's causes and effects and his role as mayor.

July 4, 2010 - Daily Grist

Getting the Mix Right in Mixed-Use

A local Austin developer talks about the challenges of getting the right mix of services that residents can support.

June 19, 2010 - Oak Hill Gazette

City Makes Street Intervention Permanent

An activist project in Dallas, Texas turned an auto-oriented block into a pedestrian paradise, envisioning what could be with a little paint and fake lampposts. The city listened, and is now working to make the change permanent.

May 26, 2010 - CoolTown Studios

Locals Kill Low-Income Housing, Want Park Instead

In Frisco, Texas, locals fought a non-profit that wanted to build a 200 low-income apartment building near Bicentennial Park.

May 23, 2010 - The Dallas Morning News

Houston, A Model City for the U.S.

Houston is often the butt of many urban planners' jokes. With no formal zoning, wide roads and huge houses, it's often what urban planners are trying to move American cities away from. Joel Kotkin argues Houston is a model city for the U.S.

May 21, 2010 - Forbes

Explaining Houston's Lack of Effective Public Transit

Despite being one of the largest cities in the U.S., public transit in Houston has not kept up with its population growth. Kristie Lewis offers five reasons why.

May 17, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Masons, the Mighty Mites, and Historic Preservation

In Fort Worth, Texas, the former Masonic Widows and Orphans home is a 20-acre historic campus of red brick buildings that is up for redevelopment. Architect Lee Hill talks about their plans for the site.

May 13, 2010 - Fort Worth Business Press

City And Business House Homeless

San Antonio, Texas, is partnering with business and nonprofit groups on a project aimed at curbing homelessness.

May 13, 2010 - San Antonio Express-News

New Amtrak Train Runs On Beef

Beef by-products, turned into bio-diesel, make up 20% of the fuel being used today by Amtrak's Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.

April 28, 2010 - Fast Company

The Emerging Arts Center of Texas

Fast Company's annual list of innovative cities highlights Dallas as an emerging hub of culture.

April 27, 2010 - Fast Company

Wind Goes From Curse to Boon for Struggling Texas Town

Roscoe, Texas is a rural town that was declining by degrees for decades, with a fierce wind that made crops difficult. A local started a wind farm business and the town is turning around, turning its curse into a blessing.

April 7, 2010 - NEWS21

Texas Toll Roads Go Cash Free

North Texas Tollway (NTTA) has announced their intention to go all electronic for their toll roads by the end of the year, and Florida will soon follow.

April 5, 2010 - TOLLROADSnews

Banking Regulation, Not Real Estate Reregulation, Saved Texas

Texas' strict banking regulation may be partially responsible for its economic health.

April 5, 2010 - The Big Money

Fort Worth Streetcar Project In Jeopardy

In this editorial, blogger Kevin Buchanan argues that a Fort Worth streetcar is being delayed by political forces and should move forward for the benefit of the community.

April 1, 2010 - Fortworthology

Challenges Face Ambitious New Metro Officials in Houston

When five new board members will join the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority next month, they'll inherit a host of systemic problems and one of the toughest economic climates in decades.

March 24, 2010 - The Houston Chronicle

Overdue Debut of Austin Light Rail Line

Austin's Capital MetroRail Red Line opens today after two years of delay and budget overruns. Intended as a showcase line, Yonah Freemark claims the line will see very few riders.

March 22, 2010 - the transport politic

Higher Fees Drive Developers to Outskirts

In Corpus Christi, Texas, a park development fee on inner city properties has developers crying foul, claiming it discourages development in inner cities where it should be encouraged.

March 20, 2010 - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Houston's Light Rail Funding Woes

Too much, too fast, is the analysis from The Transport Politic. Based on a voter-approved, Nov, 2003 plan funded by a one-cent sales tax, the transit plus HOV/HOT conversion plan has run into funding problems. This article focuses on LRT expansion.

March 18, 2010 - the transport politic

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.

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.