Houston Matters

Houston’s Changing Neighborhoods

Posted on · We’ve regularly discussed on this program the ways in which Houston has been transforming in recent years. We Houstonians have watched as our infrastructure has struggled to keep up with dramatic population growth. We’ve also both celebrated and bemoaned the reinvention of entire neighborhoods — what some see as improvements, and others dismiss as gentrification. […]

Houston Matters

Gulf Coast Green Conference Brings Sustainability Minds to Houston

Posted on · For more than 10 years, the Gulf Coast Green Conference has quietly been building a name for itself, drawing sustainability professionals, architects and designers to town. This theme for this year's conference is about art and sustainability and includes lessons in something called “hedonistic sustainability.” We learn about the conference — and what exactly that […]

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Air Pollution Report and Sean Patrick Flanery: Tuesday’s Show (April 26, 2016)

Posted on · Last week, the American Lung Association released its 17th annual "State of the Air" report, which says Houston – when it comes to ozone – is the 15th most polluted city in the U.S. But what does that mean and what's being done to address it? On this edition of Houston Matters, we discuss air […]

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Judges and Party Affiliation: Friday’s Show (March 25, 2016)

Posted on · Across the country, you’ll find different systems in place for naming and retaining judges. In some states, judges are named by the executive branch and approved or rejected by the legislature. In others, judges are named and then face “retention elections” at regular intervals when voters can choose to retain or dismiss the judge. Here […]

Houston Matters

How Will Paris Climate Talks Affect Industry and the Environment in Houston?

Posted on · The world has been watching Paris in recent days as the city hosts the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, known as COP21. But, since we’re a show that focuses on Houston, we wondered how might climate change decisions made at the summit affect industry here? We talk with several guests on this subject: First […]

Houston Matters

Is it About Race or Income? How We Define Gentrification in Houston

Posted on · You may have heard Andrew Schneider’s story a week ago about a recent study from Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability, which found the cost of living in Houston is no longer a bargain. According to the 5th Houston Sustainability Indicators Report, Houstonians spend more than 45 percent of their income on transportation and housing, […]

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Defining Gentrification and Chris Gethard: Thursday’s Show (October 8, 2015)

Posted on · You may have heard Andrew Schneider’s story a week ago about a recent study from Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability, which found the cost of living in Houston is no longer a bargain. According to the 5th Houston Sustainability Indicators Report, Houstonians spend more than 45 percent of their income on transportation and housing, […]

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Is Houston Really Affordable? Houston Matters for Tues., Aug. 12, 2014

Posted on · We often hear about the low cost of living in Texas and Houston. But is it really true? The answer, not surprising, is: it depends. Where in Greater Houston you live factors in tremendously. Some areas are seeing unprecedented demand for places to live – and that drives up prices in those areas, not just […]

Houston Matters

Sustainable Development in Houston, is it Possible?

Posted on · Houston is growing and changing like few places in the nation. But is it growing in a way that the community can support over the long haul? The Shell Center for Sustainability at Rice University is poised to release its 3rd report on Houston Sustainability Performance this week. We learned what this new report has […]

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Houston Matters for Wed., Sept. 18, 2013

Posted on · Houston is growing and changing like few places in the nation. But is it growing in a way that the community can support over the long haul? The Shell Center for Sustainability at Rice University is poised to release its 3rd report on Houston Sustainability Performance this week. On this edition of Houston Matters, we […]