http://www.houstontomorrow.org An institute for research, education and discussion en jay.crossley@houstontomorrow.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-07T23:27:39+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/events/details/houston-food-policy-workgroup-meeting14/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/events/details/houston-food-policy-workgroup-meeting14/#When:17:30:45Z 2012-02-08T17:30:45+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/commentary/story/charles-marohn4/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/commentary/story/charles-marohn4/#When:23:27:39Z There is no simple approach to building a Strong Town. There is no one or two universal ideas that, if implemented, will change the trajectory of America’s cities, towns and neighborhoods. This is hard work. For a city to get there, current priorities need to be realigned and everyone—from the… 2012-02-07T23:27:39+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/commentary/story/todd-litman8/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/commentary/story/todd-litman8/#When:19:13:37Z As I write this column (2 February) the U.S. House Transportation Committee is debating changes in H.R. 3864, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which will determine future federal transportation policy. The current version significantly reduces support for walking, cycling, public transport and transportation demand management. For example, it… 2012-02-07T19:13:37+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/houston-becoming-remarkably-green-in-its-civic-impulses/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/houston-becoming-remarkably-green-in-its-civic-impulses/#When:18:56:59Z Houston is getting national attention for its impressively green revitalization efforts, according to The Atlantic Cities: After many years, Buffalo Bayou is finally coming on its Nixon in China moment. Or, perhaps, a little bit of Paris in Texas. The 10-square-mile Brownfields restoration in the front yard of downtown Houston… Houston 2012-02-07T18:56:59+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/zero-energy-suburb-developed-in-austin/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/zero-energy-suburb-developed-in-austin/#When:18:42:13Z Austin developers have been successfully selling homes in a (nearly) net-zero-energy suburb built in 2008, according to The New York Times: To describe SOL Austin, the five-and-a-half-acre development in which Ms. Chapa resides, as “the matchbox houses” is both accurate and unfair. Yes, the houses are small by American standards… Megaregion 2012-02-07T18:42:13+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/the-top-10-smart-cities-on-the-planet/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/the-top-10-smart-cities-on-the-planet/#When:18:29:21Z A ranking of the world’s smartest cities, from New York to Hong Kong, entailed crunching a list of variables about innovation and sustainability, according to Fast Company: The term “smart cities” is a bit ambiguous. Some people choose a narrow definition—i.e. cities that use information and communication technologies to deliver… Beyond 2012-02-07T18:29:21+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/transit-bill-clears-senate-committee-with-unanimous-support/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/transit-bill-clears-senate-committee-with-unanimous-support/#When:17:46:14Z Despite continued struggles among their colleagues in the House, the Senate Banking Committee has passed its two-year transit bill with unanimous support, according to DC Streets Blog: The Senate has so far reached bipartisan agreement on two out of three portions of their two-year bill. The only remaining title to… Beyond 2012-02-07T17:46:14+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/des-moines-increasing-public-transit/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/des-moines-increasing-public-transit/#When:17:32:16Z Des Moines-area property owners could see a 15-cent increase in the tax levy for mass transit after commissioners overseeing the DART OK’d a budget increase, according to The Des Moines Register: The new taxes in DART member communities would pay for a 13 percent extension of service to member communities,… Beyond 2012-02-07T17:32:16+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/experts-say-cost-of-water-bound-to-increase/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/experts-say-cost-of-water-bound-to-increase/#When:17:07:26Z As populations continue to rise, experts say access to our limited water supply is destined to become more expensive, according to The Austin Statesman: Is water too cheap? Perhaps the most obvious indication that it is, said Michael Webber, a University of Texas professor who heads a research group focused… Megaregion 2012-02-07T17:07:26+00:00 http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/hate-mail-aims-to-intimidate-climate-scientist/ http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/hate-mail-aims-to-intimidate-climate-scientist/#When:18:28:55Z A Texas Tech professor has received a barrage of bitter emails since taking flak from talking heads, according to Texas Climate News: Hate mail in the inbox has been an occupational hazard for climate scientists in the public eye for some time now. Something about their endorsement and explanation of… Megaregion 2012-02-06T18:28:55+00:00