Houston needs.. (West, Howe, Southside Place: apartments, condo, house)

[EEstudent]

I believe that what Houston needs now more than ever is what is known as a.....

"Urban Growth Boundary"

Its basically a way of keeping large commercial building out of residential towns and spilling into the outskirts of Harris County.

also An urban growth boundary ensures compact development, which will reduce the impact of car emissions; traffic; and hassle. Perhaps all this driving causes people to be fat hence us being the fattest city in America ( i said PERHAPS dont quote me on that!)

At the current moment Houston is 21st in "most walkable cities" which I believe is pretty pathetic for the 4th largest city in the US.

Hopefully one day there houston will be a place where you can walk to restaurants, bars, clubs, groceries, etc.

[jfre81]

Sorry, that would involve the suburban municipalities on the fringes of the county standing up to developers. Ain't happening. They want the tax revenue too much.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by EEstudent

Hopefully one day there houston will be a place where you can walk to restaurants, bars, clubs, groceries, etc.

You invent outdoor air conditioning and it might actually become one.

Of course all that is within 1/4 mile of me if I want to walk to it. Dragging home Dry Cleaning and Groceries on food isn't my bag though.

[desertsun41]

I dont agree that urban makes for less vehicle traffic. No matter what is built you will never get people out of their cars. It's just the American way and part of our culture.

By building high rises you are concentrating people who do and always will own a car into a smaller area. An area where there is no room to widen the road infrastructure to accommodate the extra cars.

The goals of those who support your idea are good. Good for everyones health and good for the environment. But we are what we are and no one nor any amount of time will change our habbits.

In the old days it was common to have store fronts with apartments above and no one needed a car because every thing they needed was within walking distance. I still remember my Grandmothers tall wire basket on wheels that tilted like a hand truck that she took to buy groceries. Do you really really really think in your wildest dreams that we could ever go back to a life like that? We love our cars and will never give them up.

The zoning issue I will stay neutral on. I never lived or even heard of a city that had no zoning laws till I came here. There are many goods and many bads about zoning. I will just call it more government intervention that we do not need for now.

[dv1033]

Originally Posted by EEstudent

I believe that what Houston needs now more than ever is what is known as a.....

"Urban Growth Boundary"

Its basically a way of keeping large commercial building out of residential towns and spilling into the outskirts of Harris County.

also An urban growth boundary ensures compact development, which will reduce the impact of car emissions; traffic; and hassle. Perhaps all this driving causes people to be fat hence us being the fattest city in America ( i said PERHAPS dont quote me on that!)

At the current moment Houston is 21st in "most walkable cities" which I believe is pretty pathetic for the 4th largest city in the US.

Hopefully one day there houston will be a place where you can walk to restaurants, bars, clubs, groceries, etc.

It's not like Houston doesn't have any plans or initiatives keep some growth in city. My favorite plan involves urban corridors. It basically changes parking space requirements and encourages denser infill along streets that have/will have light rail and major streets.

Houston does actually have zoning, but not the type of zoning that dictates residential, commercial, size, etc.. It's basically for parking requirements, safety reasons.

Economics is what drives growth. Companies are going to continue to build mid rise office parks outside and along the outskirts of Houston just because it is cheaper. Companies that can afford to and want to will still build and buy in Houston's core. Downtown's office vacancy was so low they needed to build two 500+ ft towers.

Walkable neighborhoods in Houston will take time and will not be built by some plan, it will happen organically. However, walking with groceries in Houston isn't like LA, Chicago, NYC, etc. it is HOT down here. Why do you think downtown has miles of underground pedestrian tunnels filled with restaurants and tons of commercial retail. The galleria area is also connected via underground tunnel.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by EEstudent

I believe that what Houston needs now more than ever is what is known as a.....

"Urban Growth Boundary"

Its basically a way of keeping large commercial building out of residential towns and spilling into the outskirts of Harris County.

As long as Houston & Texas are in the USA and not in Europe, this isn't going to happen.

Moderator cut: political

I wondered why your posts were so angsty and then I noticed you're a 20 year old living @ home & driving to school. Condolences 2 u. That must completely suck.

[westres1]

If you live inside the loop in Neighborhoods like West U, Southhampton,Southside Place and the Heights or Montrose. Then you can walk out your door to school,shopping,coffee shops and pubs. But you have to live in a smaller house with less yard for more $$$. Many people just can not afford it.