Comments on: No Zoning for Cities? http://urbanplanningblog.com/387/no-zoning-for-cities/ Thoughts on Urban Planning and Design Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:21:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Krisko101 http://urbanplanningblog.com/387/no-zoning-for-cities/#comment-187 Krisko101 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:52:42 +0000 http://urbanplanningblog.com/2008/04/28/no-zoning-for-cities/#comment-187 I find it exceedingly interesting that you think Houston has no downtown. I would image that most of Houston's 4+ million residents would disagree completely. Though the city does have a number of skyscraper groups, the Houston roadway system radiates from the city center where there is a clear 'downtown' area with a skyline that makes most Houstonians proud. As far as urban sprawl goes, it has always been my impression that zoning is not a huge factor -- it is my opinion that geography is the limiter and taxation is the impetus for urban sprawl. Houston does not have any particular geographic limitations to outward growth, and county property and sales taxes are significantly lower than that within the city limits, which encourages businesses and large families to move outside city limits. I find it exceedingly interesting that you think Houston has no downtown. I would image that most of Houston’s 4+ million residents would disagree completely. Though the city does have a number of skyscraper groups, the Houston roadway system radiates from the city center where there is a clear ‘downtown’ area with a skyline that makes most Houstonians proud.

As far as urban sprawl goes, it has always been my impression that zoning is not a huge factor — it is my opinion that geography is the limiter and taxation is the impetus for urban sprawl. Houston does not have any particular geographic limitations to outward growth, and county property and sales taxes are significantly lower than that within the city limits, which encourages businesses and large families to move outside city limits.

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