How Fast Is Houston Densifying?

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by Scarface713

What Redlionjr probably meant was street vibrancy and urbanity. New Orleans wins there over Houston and it makes the city feel more dense than it really is.

Exactly, but now I have a better understanding.

[Spade]

When it comes to the newer single family homes in the inner loop, Houston is very interesting. I can't put a finger to it and what the city reminds me most of. I remember reading a post on SSP that Houston is developing like a dense Tokyo suburb when it comes to townhomes. But the single family homes are interesting.

First, developers in the inner loop seem to discourage building 1960s ranch style homes that dominates most of Houston. Instead they are building the homes more narrow and linear with multiple flats or homes that take up less space with a small yard. I will say that it looks like a mixture of San Francisco and Chicago.

San Francisco with the attached home garages. You know the city that every urbanist adores. Well they have garages in the front and driveways. SF pulls this off.
San Francisco - Google Maps

Then you have Chicago with the narrow space between each homes.
Chicago - Google Maps

Than this is Houston's newer developments and it looks like a combination of these two cities in many spots. Though Houston still obviously encourages using your driveway instead of parking in the street. I don't mind that. I hate parallel parking lol. The little I do it, the better.
Houston - Google Maps

Than you go to other newer developed areas and on one side it looks like SF and on the other it looks like Chicago and it still looks pretty different.
Houston - Google Maps

I can't put my finger on it and that's what makes it more interesting. I don't think any city is building like this. Not even Atlanta or Dallas from my observations.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by Darbro

Hello Amber. I've pretty much been in/seen the Humble area, Greenspoint, where I live, and the N.E side and around Crosby. What I mean by infill are the refurbishment of unused buildings, construction of businesses, high rises, mid rises, apt bldgs, etc. on vacant lots. Basically filling in of vacant lots to make the area more urban and dense.

Here's a thread regarding the infill of Houston
Houston Style Infill: Rice Military and Washington Ave.

[Darbro]

Thanks for the link Spade!