Placemaking, as an intentional practice, came into being in the late 1960’s, as architects, scientists, artists, geographers, planners, and designers all struggled with the impersonality and alienation of Modernism (1). The rationality of the prevalent design practice at that time, […]
Member Posts
President’s Desk: August 2025
Howdy WHA Members! This month we saw the passage of H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you are curious what it all entails you can read the 887 pages yourself, but since almost no one else has, […]
Understanding Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ)
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs) are an impactful yet often misunderstood tool driving infrastructure improvements and economic development across Houston and throughout the State of Texas. In simple terms, a TIRZ is a special zone where increases in property tax […]
Building Resilience: The Future of Flood Control in a Growing Region
In the wake of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, Greater Houston’s future depends on how effectively we prepare, respond, and adapt. From Hurricane Harvey to more localized but still damaging storms, the cumulative impact of flooding is not just […]
The Right Size: Rethinking Density in Master Planned Communities
The final panel of our 2025 QPD Symposium tackled one of the most loaded concepts in modern land development — Density. “We don’t say the Z-word,” Chris Browne of EHRA Engineering joked at the start, referring to zoning, and “the […]
President’s Desk: July 2025
Howdy WHA Members! The 2025 Quality Planned Development Symposium was a resounding success, bringing together leaders in planning, development, healthcare, education, and infrastructure to share ideas and inspire action toward more resilient, equitable communities. With record attendance and dynamic, solutions-focused […]
President’s Desk: June 2025
Howdy WHA Members! At the time of this writing, the Texas Legislature still has a few final hours for last-minute decisions, and the Governor retains the authority to veto legislation. That said, we’ve already seen meaningful investments in both flooding […]
Thriving Together: A Regional Blueprint for Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure
As Greater Houston experiences rapid population growth, managing infrastructure demands and guiding sustainable development are essential to ensuring long-term resilience and a high quality of life. Addressing challenges like flooding, housing affordability, and mobility requires coordinated planning that links economic […]
President’s Desk: May 2025
Howdy WHA Members! As the city cooled off from Final Four fever, Houston’s own UH Cougars made it all the way to the finals, showcasing grit and resilience that’s becoming a hallmark of this city’s rising national profile. Meanwhile, the […]
Sustainability and Resilience – Two Sides of the Same Coin
On April 26th, the West Houston Association hosted a forum on Building Resilience Through Sustainable Infrastructure to explore how we can build a stronger, more adaptive future. The event emphasized that resilience and sustainability are not competing priorities but two […]