What Makes a Neighborhood Go Downhill in 20 Years? (Rice: foreclosures, crime)

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by usc619

It's not so much Katy, I am very disappointed with the way things are done in unincorporated counties around Houston. the MPC in Katy are nice, but when you drive out of them it's hit or miss(at best).

Well, it's nicer than the areas outside of the MPC's on the SW side. I mean you can get more "miss" than that.

[usc619]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Well, it's nicer than the areas outside of the MPC's on the SW side. I mean you can get more "miss" than that.

Agree and that's part of the problem.....folks actually use that as a barometer on what's considered nice around here LMAO

[randian]

Originally Posted by usc619

Better planning and city building codes.

How is it that you've come to the ridiculous idea that planning and zoning have anything to do with crime, litter, and general neighborhood distress? I suggest you go someplace where they're strict about planning and zoning, like LA, Philadelphia, NYC, or Detroit, and regale us with tales of how beautiful and crime free the entire city is. What's that, you can't? Those cities have areas that make run down areas of Houston look like Upper Kirby? Then perhaps the problem isn't P&Z. My vote is "people". Areas are bad because the people are bad. I know, we can't blame people, that would be racist, so we must blame inanimate apartments instead.

[vwgto]

Everyone should be held accountable to maintain their property (the basic stuff). Someone mentioned the older parts of the Woodlands - - the declines are happening there because enforcement has become lax, and the price of entry is relatively low. It is a mini version of the entire metro area, where focus shifts to the "new". That said, at least the Woodlands has a hollistic view vs a large metro area with many conflicting priorities over many jurisdictions.

[SoHoVe]

I didn't read all the replies but the first thing that comes to mind is...large poorly managed apartment complexes and the people they attract.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by usc619

For an example, if you take a drive down Kingsland, Fry or Mason (Katy), you'll see nothing but bandit signs...
Don't let me get started on the litter, waist high weeds and trash that never seems to get picked up. It's almost like they're waiting for the wind to blow it away.

Are you talking south of I-10? Maybe you should look into starting up a South Katy area residents' group where the focus is on removing bandit signs (which are basically litter) and other litter clean up. The problem is probably everyone is just expecting someone else to do it, doesn't know who is in charge, so nothing gets done.
As far as the weeds/mowing, check into if that's a county issue or if one of the HOAs is supposed to be doing it and isn't.

[crbcrbrgv]

In the old days, it was racism that brought neighborhoods down. Today, it is classicism. We've come a long way, baby.

[orbius]

Originally Posted by Shizzles

Houston is the free market in action. Developers have carte blance to build whatever whereever and it's funny to see people shocked to find it's economically more profitable to build more units on less land (econ 101?)

Weither anyone wants to come to terms with it or not, "Evil, Scary, Poor folk" will be with us forever, as no true capitalist economy can survive without them. People sitting here blaming Liberals is simply trying to deny reality. Even if every liberal were to be gone tomorrow, those "Others" you so dread will still be here. In fact, it's those big corporate titans everyone worships who bring them over from all around the world.

Before I get hit with the "Commie Pinko" card, I am myself a Libertarian-Conservative, and feel free-markets are the solution. I just don't suffer hypocracy lightly, and as a "Person of Color", I think it's amusing to watch people tap dance around their true feelings regarding this issue.

Your idea of 'free market' is actually license not freedom at all. When anothers actions start effecting everyone around them negatively if they choose to not acknowledge the consequences of their actions on others then people have every right to step in and change their behavior.

The simple fact is the best cities in the world all fairly strictly control what developers can and cannot do. This cities last centuries, are liveable, and run well.

Houston is a rotting dump in about half the city, and the nice parts often seem to turn into hellholes after about 20 years because of poor initial planning and little regulation on development.
Why shouldnt we demand more from the developers who are often responsible for this rot? Because it might cost them a few extra bucks. So what.

[usc619]

Originally Posted by orbius

Houston is a rotting dump in about half the city, and the nice parts often seem to turn into hellholes after about 20 years because of poor initial planning and little regulation on development.

Why shouldnt we demand more from the developers who are often responsible for this rot? Because it might cost them a few extra bucks. So what.

BINGO! the brutal truth

[jimmyev]

Originally Posted by orbius

The simple fact is the best cities in the world all fairly strictly control what developers can and cannot do. This cities last centuries, are liveable, and run well.

Architecturally controlled. Not use/density/parking controlled.