http://houston.culturemap.com/newsde...e-dallas-lags/
http://houston.culturemap.com/newsde...ng-disdainful/
http://houston.culturemap.com/newsde...ouston-scores/
Houston has its hands tied when it comes to implementing "big city projects". The Texas government is completely disconnected with the states changing demographics, voter ideology, and even obvious trends (ie. the fact that people from primarily blue states and communal-society countries are moving to the Texas urban centers, and with them, their beliefs, values, and culture.) As a person who was born and raised in the Armpit of Texas and Houston suburb of Katy I have seen the changes this fantastic city has experienced in my 21 years of living here. Katy and all the suburbs around Houston are a mess. I grew up playing on all the neighborhoods being constructed, the massive expansion of I-10 (no I didnt play on it.. have some common sense), but all the while never saw any construction to meet the growth that these new neighborhoods would bring. We needed to be constructing the light rail lines back in the '90s when Houston was booming with construction in burbs. My neighborhood near Barker-Cypress and I-10 doesnt even have sidewalks leading to the high school I went to, which was only a mile away. We all know Houston lacks zoning, yet few realize just how much that has set this city up for HUGE success. We have multiple massive business centers such as the Galleria, Greenspoint, TMC, CBD, Memorial City, Westchase, Energy Corridor, and so on. These centers developed organically on their own and for the most part, their workforce lives relatively close except maybe CBD. All Houston really has to do is connect these centers together with main attractions, and you will have one hell of a city. One wouldn't have to get in a car and drive 40 miles in a day and get stuck in traffic, but rather hop on a train and go everywhere your heart desires.
This "snooty suburb-loving punk" HATES the suburbs and strives to live in inner Houston and help make Houston a better, sustainable, efficient, and connected city. Most of my friends have relocated to apartments inside the loop because we all grew up hating having to drive 20 miles to do any of the FUN things that Houston has such as The Childrens Museum, which is one of the best in the country, any of the sporting venues, Jones Theatre, Hermann and Memorial Parks, now Discovery Green, Museum District and on and on and on. Not only is the apartment boom within the loop is being driven by newcomers, but also natives that are now graduating college and deciding to STAY in Houston because of its job opportunities, wage increases, development, and excitement all of which is brewing within the city. These "yuppies" have experienced the Great Recession during their prime knowledge-attaining years and early adulthood and have become more "Green" in every sense of the word. The idea of suburbs as a sustainable way of living is now known as false, buying a house when you don't have the money may be a bad idea, living 20+ miles away from work does not even remotely sound logical unless there is mass transit. Again, Ideology is changing with my generation in large part because of the Great Recession.
Believe me when I say I know we are not a East Coast or West Coast city. Houston is the Crown Jewel of the GULF COAST. If it wasn't for air conditioning this city would not be half the size it is today. Our Urban landscape is one that formed after the invention of A/C in post WWII times and then suddenly, almost simultaneously, the onset of the Interstate system. We are a very progressive and business minded culture in Houston and hang onto our sense of community; we see ourselves as a "Really big small Town." Our Identity is, you could say, fluctuating.
Houston is the most diverse region in the country. Most of the infrastructure projects would get the green light if it was not for the opposition not realizing that the temporary inconvenience of construction will outweigh the benefits after completion of a say a light rail station nearby one's business. People are more willing and likely to go into a store if they don't have to find a place to park first.
Sorry, went off on a tangent. But, I fell most understand what I'm trying to say is that Houston knows we are not the best. We know we have a lot of to do in the sense of becoming a full-blown Global City. We also don't strive to be NY, LA, or Chicago; we strive to be HOUSTON. If it's unclear what that really means, well, Bless Your Heart you'll find out here soon enough.