Texas

Trolley System Thrives in Houston Suburb
As ridership soars, the "urban circulator" in the Woodlands Township is getting longer routes and more frequent service.

Houston-Area Floodplain Regulations to Expand from 100-Year to 500-Year Levels
Harris County, home to Houston and the scene of widespread devastation during Hurricane Harvey and other weather events, will make large-scale changes to development regulations on floodplains for the first time in almost 20 years.

Houston's Tallest New Buildings Coming to Neighborhoods Not Called Downtown
A 328-foot building is planned for the Downtown-Adjacent Midtown neighborhood.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Commits to New Security Measures
The DART Board of Directors has ordered the expansion of police and security patrols at transit stations in Dallas, while also considering investments in new surveillance technology on light rail lines.

It's Now Safe to Link Hurricane Precipitation and Climate Change
A new study from MIT makes a clear connection between the intensity of rainfall caused by Hurricane Harvey last August in Texas and climate change, concluding that the likelihood of stronger downpours is greatly increasing.
Tiny Home Village for the Homeless to Expand in Austin
Political support and a new capital campaign are helping to expand the tiny home concept as a solution to homelessness in Austin, Texas.

20-Year 'Plan Houston' Would More Than Double Downtown's Population
The Houston Downtown Management District and Central Houston Inc. have released a new 20-year vision for Downtown Houston.

Challenges in Rebuilding Houston Extend Beyond Development
Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic of The New York Times, looks beyond sprawl and development issues that challenge Houston in its rebuilding efforts. An anti-urban, anti-regulation bias from the statehouse isn't helping matters.

On Demand Ride-Sharing Finds New Homes
Via Transportation Inc is picking up where Bridj left off—offering on demand ride sharing in cities in California and Texas.

Houston's Latest Push for Walkable Neighborhoods
Building on 2009's Transit Corridor Ordinance, Houston's Walkable Places Committee is creating a process for specific neighborhoods to adopt new rules emphasizing walkability.

Rebuilding by Design, This Time in Houston
History shows that there's more than one way to control flooding, but the best ideas are also urban amenities.

Houston Planning Director Dispels Myths About the Effects of Harvey
An interview with Houston Planning Director Patrick Walsh, conducted after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the city and reduced its planning and infrastructure to a talking point for pundits. It's time to let the locals do the talking.

Editorial: Expand Bus Service in Dallas
An Dallas Morning News editorial suggests DART spending should favor bus service over train service to make more efficient use of its funds.

A Call for Better Bike Infrastructure in Houston
It's been a deadly Autumn for bike riders in Houston, and bike advocates are pushing the city to make streets safer for all users.
Urban Development Continues in the Dallas Suburbs
Mixed-use development brings density and anxiety to suburban Dallas.

Op-Ed: Dallas Suffers From Long-Term, Entrenched Segregation
In a appeal by no means limited to the Dallas metro region, Mike Koprowski condemns the city's entrenched segregation and calls for a stronger response.

$8 Billion Transportation Vision for Austin: Three-Level Freeway, Tollway
Interstate 35 through Central Austin would be transformed into a three-level roadway wIth toll lanes in the middle, according to an 8.1 billion vision proposed by TxDOT.

New Texas Express Lanes Pricey but Popular
In a series of articles by Austin-based KXAN-TV, reporters examine the new MoPac Express Lane, now in full operation more than two years behind schedule. Despite significant construction setbacks, the congestion-priced lanes are well-used.

National Partners Launch the 10-Minute Walk to a Park Campaign
The 10-Minute Walk to a Park Campaign launched earlier this month.

Downtown Dallas 'Smart District' in the Works
Spanning eight blocks, plans for the Dallas Smart District include offices, hotel space, and retail. Anchoring the development: a 78-floor tower that would become the tallest building in town.
Pagination
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