Subdude Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Joel Kotkin and Tory GattisAmerica’s Opportunity CityLots of new jobs and a low cost of living make Houston a middle-class magnet.Summer 2014David Wolff and David Hightower are driving down the partially completed Grand Parkway around Houston. The vast road, when completed, will add a third freeway loop around this booming, 600-square-mile Texas metropolis. Urban aesthetes on the ocean coasts tend to have a low opinion of the flat Texas landscape—and of Houston, in particular, which they see as a little slice of Hades: a hot, humid, and featureless expanse of flood-prone grassland, punctuated only by drab office towers and suburban tract houses. But Wolff and Hightower, major land developers on Houston’s outskirts for four decades, have a different outlook. “We may not have all the scenery of a place like California,” notes the 73-year-old Wolff, who is also part owner of the San Francisco Giants. “But growth makes up for a lot of imperfections.”A host of newcomers—immigrants and transplants from around the United States—agree with that assessment. Its low cost of living and high rate of job growth have made Houston and its surrounding metro region attractive to young families. According to Pitney Bowes, Houston will enjoy the highest growth in new households of any major city between 2014 and 2017. A recent U.S. Council of Mayors study predicted that the American urban order will become increasingly Texan, with Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth both growing larger than Chicago by 2050. Interesting read http://www.city-journal.org/2014/24_3_houston.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 It is an interesting read, but it should be stated once more. As Hogg once said (summarizing): Are we going to build a great population or a great city. A large population doesn't necessarily make a great city (by great population I mean a really large population). Because we are a "featureless landscape" that should be an incentive to design our built environment that enhances what we don't have. The flatness of our land also shouldn't be an excuse as civilization has always been one where it holds a strong relationship with flat land, shorelines, and rivers instead of the hills, foothills, or mountains where historically those areas have been seen as an escape from civilization. Once again it's an interesting article, but their praise is simply in the wrong place. We should aim higher than being just low-cost and lots of jobs. There is no reason to not aim higher to project with that financial capital architecture, city planning, public spaces, etc.. which display our wealth and achievement. Not just some cheap flimsy mass-produced houses, monolithic curtain glass wall towers, fields of parking lots, etc... It has the possibilities of being both enormous and beautiful. The effort just has to be made. The auto-pilot expansionist machine has to switched off and more focus put on what we have already built or left behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 It currently has over 28.3 million square feet of office space, more than the downtowns of both Houston and Los Angeles. By the end of 2014, TMC top officials predict, the area will be the nation’s seventh-largest business district.I thought Downtown has 43 million square feet of office space? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I thought Downtown has 43 million square feet of office space? Yeah. That quote is just wrong. According to Transwestern, downtown Houston has 55,285,545 square feet of office space. Other services show a smaller number because they don't include owner-occupied buildings (e.g., the huge Chevron complex). But I have no idea where they might have come up with that 28 Million square feet number being larger than downtown Houston. Ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 The flatness of our land also shouldn't be an excuse as civilization has always been one where it holds a strong relationship with flat land, shorelines, and rivers instead of the hills, foothills, or mountains where historically those areas have been seen as an escape from civilization. This might have been true with ancient Mesopotamia, but once you get to say Athens and Rome, I think it pretty much goes out the window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 This might have been true with ancient Mesopotamia, but once you get to say Athens and Rome, I think it pretty much goes out the window. Just because a city has hills in it doesn't mean that it was started there. Rome began in the valley of the 7 hills and eventually spread beyond that. Athens began in the valley near the coast and spread beyond that. Before you give Italian cities as an example, all of those were constructed during fall of Rome when people were fleeing the PLAINS AND FLATLANDS for the foothills only to escape barbarians....while you look at the cities of those barbarians (Germans, Poles, etc...) they were in the valleys or on flatland. Venice, flatland/marshes. London, flatland/marshes/swampland. Berlin, flatland/marshes/riverbanks. Chicago, flatland/marshes/shoreline. Paris, flatland/marshes,riverbank. etc....etc..... I could go on forever. So no it does not go out the window. In fact it reinforces itself as generations move forward. Yes there are always exceptions to every rule in history, but I think my logic is pretty sound on this one. Once more not jumping on you just simply stating fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I will also reiterate that it's again because they are on relatively flatland or shorelines or whatever that they essentially have to create more interesting places through the built environment. Another thing that must be brought up is the fact that this growth will only be something great for the city for maybe another 5-10 years and then just like every cycle it will fall. Not a bad thing it's just part of the cycle, but then all that growth has to show is something that will left in a bank account, maybe a few homes built, and later mentioned in history books. We have to ask if we as a community if that is all we want to leave future generations to remember us by or inspire them, or leave something for them better than the way we found it. I will say that this isn't the attitude we have. We essentially take from the system and don't give it back in terms of urban planning, architecture, civic improvements, art patriarch-ism. It sounds like I'm being a Debby downer, but this really is something that should be examined and isn't just a Houston condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I will also reiterate that it's again because they are on relatively flatland or shorelines or whatever that they essentially have to create more interesting places through the built environment. Another thing that must be brought up is the fact that this growth will only be something great for the city for maybe another 5-10 years and then just like every cycle it will fall. Not a bad thing it's just part of the cycle, but then all that growth has to show is something that will left in a bank account, maybe a few homes built, and later mentioned in history books. We have to ask if we as a community if that is all we want to leave future generations to remember us by or inspire them, or leave something for them better than the way we found it. I will say that this isn't the attitude we have. We essentially take from the system and don't give it back in terms of urban planning, architecture, civic improvements, art patriarch-ism. It sounds like I'm being a Debby downer, but this really is something that should be examined and isn't just a Houston condition. We had Mt. Houston, but then we blew it... http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2010/04/the-story-of-mt-houston/ Seriously, though, what did you have in mind? It's not like Houston is just glass boxes and flimsy suburban houses. Personally, I'd like to see some palladian or art deco stuff go up, but I may be a lone wolf on that. For public spaces, we've had Discovery Green go in, improvements to Elenor Tinsley and Buffalo Bayou parks and a new Centennial Gardens is underway. Plus hike and bike trails out the wazoo over the last 15 years or so. There is ongoing work on the flood control system that is creating new parks. Even the much maligned master planned communities include public parks and trail systems. Now that there's been some agreement on use of utility right-of-ways for trails, we should see more long distance trails connecting various parts of the city. Not to say there isn't room for improvement, but quite a bit has been done in the last decade and quite a bit more is in progress or planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 It is an interesting read, but it should be stated once more.As Hogg once said (summarizing): Are we going to build a great population or a great city.A large population doesn't necessarily make a great city (by great population I mean a really large population). Because we are a "featureless landscape" that should be an incentive to design our built environment that enhances what we don't have. The flatness of our land also shouldn't be an excuse as civilization has always been one where it holds a strong relationship with flat land, shorelines, and rivers instead of the hills, foothills, or mountains where historically those areas have been seen as an escape from civilization.Once again it's an interesting article, but their praise is simply in the wrong place. We should aim higher than being just low-cost and lots of jobs. There is no reason to not aim higher to project with that financial capital architecture, city planning, public spaces, etc.. which display our wealth and achievement. Not just some cheap flimsy mass-produced houses, monolithic curtain glass wall towers, fields of parking lots, etc... It has the possibilities of being both enormous and beautiful. The effort just has to be made. The auto-pilot expansionist machine has to switched off and more focus put on what we have already built or left behind.This recent article is a good warning about Houston being careful about becoming too strict as the population grows.http://m.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Will-Texas-hit-the-California-wall-5631792.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 We had Mt. Houston, but then we blew it... http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2010/04/the-story-of-mt-houston/ Seriously, though, what did you have in mind? It's not like Houston is just glass boxes and flimsy suburban houses. Personally, I'd like to see some palladian or art deco stuff go up, but I may be a lone wolf on that. For public spaces, we've had Discovery Green go in, improvements to Elenor Tinsley and Buffalo Bayou parks and a new Centennial Gardens is underway. Plus hike and bike trails out the wazoo over the last 15 years or so. There is ongoing work on the flood control system that is creating new parks. Even the much maligned master planned communities include public parks and trail systems. Now that there's been some agreement on use of utility right-of-ways for trails, we should see more long distance trails connecting various parts of the city. Not to say there isn't room for improvement, but quite a bit has been done in the last decade and quite a bit more is in progress or planned. Oh believe me lol, I'm sure you might have seen other posts of mine, I'm always championing the vast improvements and strides which we have made, but that is the stuff to champion!! It's like the bum's championing the "City with no limits". It's a skin deep analysis of a city beginning to see a change, slight as it maybe, but a change non the less. The non limits city, carstopyia city, and suburbian city stigmas which people continue to hoist up up as a banner to rally around is simply trying to romanticize an existence where we only stick with what is going on now instead of what can be built for the future! That is all. If they fell like this is what houston is all about or is meant to be then so be it and they are entitled to it, but it's still a very thin look at a very diverse, and changing city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 We had Mt. Houston, but then we blew it... http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2010/04/the-story-of-mt-houston/ Seriously, though, what did you have in mind? It's not like Houston is just glass boxes and flimsy suburban houses. Personally, I'd like to see some palladian or art deco stuff go up, but I may be a lone wolf on that. For public spaces, we've had Discovery Green go in, improvements to Elenor Tinsley and Buffalo Bayou parks and a new Centennial Gardens is underway. Plus hike and bike trails out the wazoo over the last 15 years or so. There is ongoing work on the flood control system that is creating new parks. Even the much maligned master planned communities include public parks and trail systems. Now that there's been some agreement on use of utility right-of-ways for trails, we should see more long distance trails connecting various parts of the city. Not to say there isn't room for improvement, but quite a bit has been done in the last decade and quite a bit more is in progress or planned. Oh believe me lol, I'm sure you might have seen other posts of mine, I'm always championing the vast improvements and strides which we have made, but that is the stuff to champion!! It's like the bum's championing the "City with no limits". It's a skin deep analysis of a city beginning to see a change, slight as it maybe, but a change non the less. The non limits city, carstopyia city, and suburbian city stigmas which people continue to hoist up up as a banner to rally around is simply trying to romanticize an existence where we only stick with what is going on now instead of what can be built for the future! That is all. If they fell like this is what houston is all about or is meant to be then so be it and they are entitled to it, but it's still a very thin look at a very diverse, a changing city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Oh believe me lol, I'm sure you might have seen other posts of mine, I'm always championing the vast improvements and strides which we have made, but that is the stuff to champion!! It's like the bum's championing the "City with no limits". It's a skin deep analysis of a city beginning to see a change, slight as it maybe, but a change non the less. The non limits city, carstopyia city, and suburbian city stigmas which people continue to hoist up up as a banner to rally around is simply trying to romanticize an existence where we only stick with what is going on now instead of what can be built for the future! That is all. If they fell like this is what houston is all about or is meant to be then so be it and they are entitled to it, but it's still a very thin look at a very diverse, and changing city. Well, naturally developers are going to champion the development that puts the green in their pockets. In a city this big, though, there's a lot going on and expanding the edges of town is just a part of it. It's an important part, though, because lower cost of living means more money for other things. And though that inevitably mean supporting more Chili's and Applebee's, it also means supporting more Underbelly and MFAH. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, but as a direct beneficiary of the low cost of living and high wages available here, I can live a life far better than I can almost anywhere else in the world. That's primarily due to the economic focus of the Houston metro area. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone, nor even in the minority on that. No great civilization has been built by killing it's economic engine, quite the opposite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 This recent article is a good warning about Houston being careful about becoming too strict as the population grows.http://m.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Will-Texas-hit-the-California-wall-5631792.phpI've often pondered about the whole state in the future. While I won't get into a political argument (I think both sides have too many flaws to truely pick a side), it may very well be one day the whole state will turn blue in the future. As far as business regulations, both parties play nicely. They know it's our edge against the rest of the country. I do disagree that improving the quality of life will turn us into California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I've often pondered about the whole state in the future. While I won't get into a political argument (I think both sides have too many flaws to truely pick a side), it may very well be one day the whole state will turn blue in the future. As far as business regulations, both parties play nicely. They know it's our edge against the rest of the country.I do disagree that improving the quality of life will turn us into California. Until the 1980's Texas was (technically) a blue state. It may well turn blue in the near future but I don't expect it will become California overnight or perhaps ever. The culture here is still going to be more pro business and individualistic far into the future. Who knows, maybe more blue states will (or already do) follow our lead rather than California's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Until the 1980's Texas was (technically) a blue state. It may well turn blue in the near future but I don't expect it will become California overnight or perhaps ever. The culture here is still going to be more pro business and individualistic far into the future. Who knows, maybe more blue states will (or already do) follow our lead rather than California's. Texas has always been more conservative. A southern democrat is conservative. I believe cities and states become more progressive as they urbanize as density usually begets more rules. Not that is necessarily a bad thing if we can balance a better built environment with pro business environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Texas has always been more conservative. A southern democrat is conservative. Please don't conflate Texas with the south in general. Sure, we've had plenty of conservative Democrats (many of whom became Republicans if they were still active in the 1980s), but we've also had plenty of liberal Democrats, as well. A short list from years past: William P. Hobby, Sr., Pat Neff, James Allred, arguably LBJ, Maury Maverick, Ralph Yarborough, Henry Gonzales, etc., etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
democide Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 When I want an improvement in my quality of life, I take a vacation out of Houston or Texas. Also, Texas can very well go down the path of California. I mean, even looking at the political environment here in Houston (or any major city like Austin, San Antonio, Dallas) makes me think that's a real possibility, and the Democrats of today are nothing like the blue Democrats you speak of. I'm not seeing fiscal responsibility in the least either. Plus illegal immigration right now is going on rampant at the border with Mexico, I don't think you can argue that is good for the state or country. These changes will bankrupt the state eventually if it keeps up, and sadly it's all done on purpose by our government, just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Oh boy here we go again. Another thread about to fall into the political black hole.....It had a good run I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Please don't conflate Texas with the south in general. Sure, we've had plenty of conservative Democrats (many of whom became Republicans if they were still active in the 1980s), but we've also had plenty of liberal Democrats, as well. A short list from years past: William P. Hobby, Sr., Pat Neff, James Allred, arguably LBJ, Maury Maverick, Ralph Yarborough, Henry Gonzales, etc., etc... Wait a minute. Do you mean the same Pat Neff who supported prohibition and was a trustee and then president of Baylor? He may have been liberal for his time, but today he'd be well on the conservative side of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Oh boy here we go again. Another thread about to fall into the political black hole.....It had a good run I guess. You forgot the eye roll. Perhaps it's just me, but the people who go into a tizzy about "turning into California" also seem to be the same people who demand to only be served Freedom Fries. I suspect that they also listen to a lot of radio, but not music. Besides, what's so all fired dreadful about California to begin with? Good grief, it was the home of Nixon and St. Ronald of Santa Barbara, and Ahnuld still lives there. Its budget problems stem not from too much spending, but an early adoption of belief in the money fairy combined with its cohort, contortion of its tax system at the expense of the middle class (see Prop. 13 and its fallout) - a road we're now following. Relax, demo, the only thing that is going to turn Texas into California is a sudden uptick in earthquakes, more temperate weather along the coast, and real mountains starting in Conroe. Plus an infusion of a generally higher standard of services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I'd like to place an order for more temperate weather and mountains in Conroe, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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