Texas

The Fair Housing Battleground Returns to Texas

All eyes are on Texas to see whether fair housing policies enacted by the Obama Administration will have any chance to stick.

February 4, 2017 - Next City

Austin Pedestrians

First Draft of Austin's New CodeNext Zoning Code Released

It was a big day for planners and planning in Austin earlier this week, when the city released the 1,100-page first draft of the city's new zoning code—the first major revision of the city's zoning doe since the mid-1980s.

February 3, 2017 - Community Impact Newspaper

Houston Astrodome

Houston's Astrodome Finally a State Antiquities Landmark

The arc of history has bent back to the Astrodome.

January 28, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

San Antonians Angry About Huts, Google Fiber's Fast Internet Plan Hits a Speedbump

Some in Texas are worried about the structures that house Google's Fiberoptic Cables, complaining that the huts are ugly and take up too much park space.

January 23, 2017 - San Antonio Business Journal

Fair Park, Dallas

How to Rebuild Dallas’s Fair Park

An editorial in the Dallas Morning News argues that Fair Park could be a vibrant part of the city if it were restored, and that the restoration could be financed in part by revenue generated from the park itself.

January 22, 2017 - The Dallas Morning News

First 'Clean Coal' Facility in the U.S. Now Operational

The country's first "clean coal" facility has also been described as "the world's largest post-combustion carbon capture system."

January 16, 2017 - The Washington Post

Fort Worth to Airport Rail Connection Collects $500 Million in Federal Funding

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority will get the federal funding assistance it needs to build the Tex Rail project.

January 3, 2017 - The Dallas News

Speed Limit

Austin Still Needs Permission From Texas to Lower its Speed Limits

A decision by the city of Austin to support lower speed limits on some city streets will remain a symbolic gesture until the state allows local governments to establish their own speed limits.

December 25, 2016 - Austin American Statesman

The Chicago Bean At Sunrise

Which States Grew and Which Didn't

Texas and Utah were the leaders in growth for the 2015-2016 fiscal year; Illinois lost more residents than any other state.

December 21, 2016 - U.S. Census Bureau

Houston Bayou

The Evidence for Houston as a World Class City

Houston is famous among urbanists for many reasons: its lack of traditional zoning, its perpetual growth, and its position in the oil industry are just a few examples. Here, Wendell Cox argues that the city is still under appreciated.

December 21, 2016 - New Geography

New York City

A Grid Balancing Act for Vibrant, Varied, and Sustainable Places

An analysis of three essential attributes of urban grids reveals a preferred layout for the desired effect of a vibrant, active community.

December 20, 2016 - Fanis Grammenos

Austin

Casting Doubt on Yield-to-Transit Laws

Austin planners are considering a law designed to ensure bus service performance by requiring drivers to allow buses to merge after making a stop, but transit advocates point to a body of research that casts doubt on the efficacy of such laws.

December 19, 2016 - Austin Monitor

Clear-Sky Flood

Houston's Rapid Growth Will Make Future Floods Worse

Houston's development has meant the loss of many wetlands, a key factor in protecting the against floods. This, coupled with climate change, will mean more floods, causing more danger and damage to the growing city.

December 15, 2016 - ProPublica

Houston Bus Lane

Houston Buses Gain Ridership While Bus Systems Around the Country Struggle

When Houston reworked their bus system they emphasized frequency and simplicity. The results have been a bump in ridership, though some complain the system sacrificed coverage and equity to make those gains.

December 14, 2016 - Texas Star Tribune

Texas Governor Rick Perry

Trump Picks Energy Secretary Who Wanted to Eliminate Department

In an infamous 2011 Republican presidential primary debate, then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry stated he would abolish three federal agencies: Commerce, Education, and "Oops!" — he couldn't recall. That department, energy, he has now been selected to lead.

December 14, 2016 - Politico

Co-Working Office

Co-Working Spaces Find a Place in Houston's Suburban Reaches

A Houston Chronicle journalist travels a surmising distance from downtown to survey the city's co-working spaces.

December 14, 2016 - Houston Chronicle

Trinity River Dallas Floodplain

The Country's Largest Urban Park—Coming Soon to Dallas

A Dallas News op-ed argues for a repackaging of the Dallas' ongoing open space and park investments to properly acknowledge the scale of the city's accomplishments.

December 9, 2016 - Dallas News

Chariot Commuter Shuttle in San Francisco Expands 50 Percent After Ford Acquisition

Chariot shuttle service, recently acquired by Ford Motor Company, may soon be a more formidable competitor for San Francisco's public transit provider, Muni, due to an expansion to 150 vans. Expect new routes, five-minute headways, and $4 rides.

December 6, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

A New Twist for Downtown Dallas Big Box Proposal

A Dallas County judge threw a wrench in a controversial plan to build a 100,000-square-foot Sam's Club near Cityplace in Dallas.

December 5, 2016 - The Dallas News

Trump Selects Elaine J. Chao, former Labor Secretary, as Transportation Secretary

Elaine Chao served all eight years as President George W. Bush's former Secretary of Labor and also under his father's administration as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. She is married to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

December 1, 2016 - The New York Times

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.