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Houston Tomorrow Form-Based Codes Presentation
This was an interesting presentation, though somewhat limited in its applicability to Houston. While form-based code is extremely relevant for Houston, most of the panel presenters were focused on understanding the difference between conventional zoning and form-based code, and they spent most of their time talking about the processes and challenges involved in transitioning from conventional [...]
Like I said…
I thought this post on the Chron blogs was interesting, especially in light of my earlier post this week about cultural traffic calming. When talking about the experience of walking a few blocks from her parking area to City Hall, Tara had this to say: …I realized it is not the walk that bothers me, [...]
Form-Based Code Luncheon
Just a quick reminder for anyone who hasn’t heard or has forgotten, Houston Tomorrow is hosting a lunch presentation today called, “How form-based codes can transform cities and towns.” This is a free presentation, it starts at noon. You can read all about it here. This should be a great presentation, one I highly recommend [...]
Paging Dr. Klineberg: Grave bias in the Houston Area Survey
Update: Response from Dr. Klineberg I haven’t met Dr. Klineberg, but he seems like a nice guy. Despite my frustrated rant, he took the time to send me a polite letter explaining his stance on things. I thought it was only appropriate that I post his response here, since I posted my letter to him [...]
Lake Plaza at Hermann Park
My wife and I went to Hermann Park this Sunday to check out the new Lake Plaza. The facilities officially opened April 18, though I imagine that due to the weather there was a much bigger crowd on the 19th (which is when we went). I took a few pictures, which you can check out [...]
A New Vision for the Katy Prairie
Over the course of the last month we’ve discussed the Grand Parkway and all the reasons for and against it. I’ve offered an alternative concept that I believe would better support the existing development in the area, and I suggested that I think that also offers a better land-development scenario for the Katy Prairie. Today [...]
Smart Code
Continuing in our look at the basics of Urbanism, I’d like to introduce another concept today: the SmartCode. SmartCode is a highly refined, form-based model development code. It was produced by Duany Plater-Zyberk during the 80′s and 90′s, and released to the general public in 2003. The entire code and a lot of supporting material [...]
Context-Sensitive Streets
Continuing in our discussion of some of the basic ideas behind good urbanism, today we’re going to look at Context-Sensitive Streets (or CSS). This idea came about after many years of study on the neighborhood impacts of very wide suburban thoroughfares, and the design requirements that mandated them. The definitive source of information on Context-Sensitive [...]
The Transect
UPDATE – From the feedback in the comments I decided to add a little on how and why the Transect is useful for Houston, see the end of the post. This week I’ll be writing about the future of Houston, and how we can embrace and encourage growth in a sustainable way. To do this, [...]
Property Value Theory, Part 3: Places that Attract People
My Property Value Theory In urban settings the root value of all property is its attractiveness to human use, which I call “people-productivity“. This is different from resource-productivity, which is the basis for rural land values. There are two major things that attract people in a macro level: natural conditions (good weather, beautiful scenery, etc) [...]