Texas

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18, 2024 - Lewisville Leader

damaged building on pier in Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, Texas after Hurricane Ike.

3D Modeling Aids in Predicting Hurricane Damage

Texas researchers are testing the tool in Galveston, where Hurricane Ike caused billions in damage in 2008.

June 18, 2024 - Route Fifty

Three men riding recumbent bikes on paved greenway next to bayou with Houston skyline in background.

Houston Developers Question Mayor’s Stance on Pedestrian Projects

The new mayor’s reversal of road safety projects, some already underway or completed, is raising eyebrows among developers who say residents want walkable, mixed-use streets.

June 13, 2024 - Houston Chronicle

Austin skyline at dusk with a river on the left and I-35 running along the right.

TxDOT Wages Quiet Battle to Acquire Properties for I-35 Expansion

TxDOT has filed “takings lawsuits” against holdout property owners along the eight-mile stretch of I-35 slated for widening in Austin, but property owners say the agency isn't offering just compensation.

June 6, 2024 - KXAN

Texas Flood

Texas Flood Plan Shows One in Six Residents Live With Flood Risk

One-fourth of the state’s land falls within 100-year or 500-year floodplains.

May 29, 2024 - The Texas Tribune

View of downtown Dallas, Texas skyline with skyscrapers against twilight sky.

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.

May 27, 2024 - The Dallas Morning News

Aerial view of main tower and buildings at University of Texas, Austin.

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.

May 26, 2024 - Daily Legal News

Ornate, tan stone capitol building with a gold dome roof and low-rise city buildings in the background.

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.

May 23, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Rendering of proposed Dallas station for Texas Central bullet train.

Will Texas Really Get a Bullet Train?

While state leaders remain silent, federal transportation officials are touting the proposed project’s benefits.

May 23, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Texas Townhomes

Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size

Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.

May 21, 2024 - The Texas Tribune

Aerial Texas Hill Country at sunset, with an aerial view of a highway interchange and Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas.

The True Cost of Texas Highways

An explainer of the monetary, environmental, and social costs of exuberant road building.

May 20, 2024 - KERA News

Flooded residential street with houses, yards, and trees on each side, a yard sign that reads "high water, no outlet," and a flooded car in the distance.

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.

May 12, 2024 - Grist

Historic clock on the corner of an intersection in downtown Houston at night.

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.

May 6, 2024 - Chron

road construction

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.

May 2, 2024 - Houston Public Media

Aerial view of Interstate 35 bridge over river into downtown Austin, Texas with skyline in background

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.

May 1, 2024 - KXAN

Silver Houston Metro bus on dedicated lane.

Houston Metro to Reduce BRT Service

The city’s Silver Line rapid transit has not been attracting as many riders as originally projected.

April 29, 2024 - Houston Chronicle

Texas

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.

April 25, 2024 - FOX 4 News

View of Dallas city skyline with moderately busy freeway in foreground at twilight.

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.

April 24, 2024 - Dallas Morning News

Rendering of proposed modern glass high-speed rail station in Houston, Texas.

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.

April 23, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

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.

April 22, 2024 - Austin Monitor

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.