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CityLab
Economy

Houston's Big Opportunity for Better Urban Development

Following the tragedy, Houston will have the opportunity to reinvent itself as a more resilient, sustainable, and economically vibrant city.
The Flint Hills Resources oil refinery with downtown Houston in the background
The Flint Hills Resources oil refinery with downtown Houston in the backgroundDavid J. Phillip/AP

Hurricane Harvey, the worst rain storm ever recorded, unleashed heart-breaking damage, but there is little doubt Greater Houston will rebound. It’s long been one of the country’s fastest growing and most vibrant regions, with a population fast approaching seven million people and projected to grow to more than 11 million by 2050. With an economic output of nearly $500 billion, its economy is roughly the size of Sweden, Poland or Belgium, placing it among the 25 most productive nations in the world. It is a center of high-tech energy production, with concentrations of software engineers and high-tech talent that are among the highest in the world.

With its abundant economic assets and talent, we are confident that Houston will rebuild. The question is: How?