Houston is an international city, with a diverse population and economy. Its equity indicators, however, are relatively average compared to other U.S. cities.
The city of Houston this week published the “One Complete Houston: Understanding Our Equity Challenges and Opportunities” report, the first to emerge from the city’s equity indicator study, launched in 2021.
According to an article by Dylan McGuinness for the Houston Chronicle, the study finds that opportunities depend on zip code, race, and sexual orientation in the city of Houston, placing the city squarely in the middle of the pack when it comes to equity. “Houston scored a 44.1 out of 100, landing in the middle of the pack among seven U.S. cities that have conducted the measure. Pittsburgh (55), New York City (48.52) and St. Louis (45.57) scored higher, while Tulsa (43.63), Dallas (39.8), and Oakland (33.5) scored lower,” reports McGuinness.
The report was created in partnership between the city, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, and Shell USA Inc. The report uses a methodology developed by the City University of New York to measure the varying levels of opportunity in a city. A total of 63 metrics contribute to the overall score. “Houston scored below a 20 out of 100 on 13 of them, and scored a 1 on eight of them, including residents without bank accounts, environmental penalties and mental health transports,” explains McGuinness.
FULL STORY: Houston is more equitable than Dallas but trails NYC, St. Louis, according to city's first ever report
Funding Urban Climate Justice
The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund stands out as an example of local grassroots climate action—in this case, the kind of action that makes other climate projects and programs possible.
Denver Freeway Widening Plans on Hold
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s plan to widen the Interstate 25 freeway through Denver is one of a few plans to widen urban freeways under consideration in the United States.
Cost Estimates Go up for Houston Freeway Project
The contentious reconfiguration of Interstate 45 is now estimated to cost $274 million more as the project faces community opposition and a federal investigation.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service