The City of Houston is launching its “Equity Indicators” project by asking for your comments to one important question: What makes a community equitable?
Reflecting Houston’s Diversity
Houston is the most diverse city in the nation, but despite the strength of our diversity and multiculturalism, Houstonians experience vast racial and ethnic disparities. The Equity Indicators Project will facilitate broader conversations on equity and inclusion, take active steps to measure disparities, and have leaders across multiple sectors be held accountable for taking action to increase equitable outcomes for all Houstonians.
The city is seeking feedback from community members to ensure that this project is reflective of Houston’s diversity and multiculturalism. Visit houstontx.gov/equity to share your thoughts on what makes a community equitable between March 6 until April 2.
“In a city where 146 languages are spoken, we must use every tool possible to ensure that every Houstonian’s voice is being heard,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This survey is a direct, impactful way to participate in making the city, its services, and its opportunities more accessible to people regardless of their background.”
File Photo: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaking at the Kingwood Community Center
Project Sponsored By…
The Equity Indicators project is led by the Planning and Development Department, Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, and Complete Communities, and ties to the vision and framework for a resilient community outlined in the Resilient Houston strategy. The city has partnered with Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research using the methodology developed by CUNY- Institute for State & Local Governance to focus on key indicators for equity in Houston. The Shell Foundation has funded this initiative that focuses on six themes:
Economic opportunity
Health
Public Safety
Environmental and Climate Risks
Built Environment
Access and Inclusion
How Data Will Be Used
The data analysis will result in an overall Equity Indicators Score for the City of Houston. The public, city departments, city programs, and community service organizations can track the score to document progress and change over time. The numerical value is based on a 100-point scale. A high score signifies Houston’s level of success toward building an equitable city, whereas a low score represents a high level of inequity and more opportunity for improvement.
For More Information or Printed Survey…
A printed survey card will also be available at city locations. Houstonians with questions or needing assistance filling out the survey may call 832-393-6637. For more information, visit Equity Indicators online atwww.houstontx.gov/equity.
Thought Starters: Aspects of Equity Measured by Various Indices
It seems everybody has a way to measure equity these days. Without trying to influence your opinion, I would simply reprint this list of indexes compiled by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/9/2022 based on a press release by COH and info compiled by Brookings
1653 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20191017-RJR_3755.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2022-03-09 18:59:002022-03-09 19:01:40City Seeks Your Feedback on Equity Indicators Survey
About a half block west of Kingwood High School, G-103-36-03, a small drainage ditch without a name, cuts under Kingwood Drive. More than a hundred homes near this ditch flooded during Harvey. Before Imelda, Harris County Flood Control District did an emergency “de-snag” on the ditch. That means they cleaned out fallen trees that were forming “beaver dams” and backing water up.
But the right of way under Kingwood Drive has remained about half blocked by sediment. That’s what those red warning signs represent in the picture below. Clearing the right of way is the City of Houston’s responsibility.
When I clicked on the upper warning sign, I found a link to this image from 2019.
Sediment and vegetation half blocking twin culverts under Kingwood Drive in 2019.Photo by HCFCDlooking south from north of westbound lanes.
Pictures Taken Today Show Same Blockages
Here’s how the same scene looked on 3/8/22.The ditch stops before it even reaches the culvert.Closer shot of same culverts shows sediment and vegetation blocking culvert entrances.Still looking south, but across the median toward the eastbound lanes.Looking north from eastbound lanes at sediment and vegetation blocking the ditch as it goes through the median of Kingwood Drive.
I’ve brought this issue to the attention of Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and his staff. I’m confident this was just an oversight and look forward to doing another positive story when they complete this job, too.
Posted by Bob Rehak on March 8, 2022
1652 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20190523-attachment1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=16751200adminadmin2022-03-08 16:39:012022-03-08 16:42:10Next Challenge For City: Ditch Clean Out in Right of Way Under Kingwood Drive West of High School
Today, I came across an eye-popping presentation by John Blount, P.E.. Blount served as Harris County’s Engineer for decades. He left his position last year after serving the Engineering Department for 34 years. The presentation discussed how new building regs adopted in 2009 (and later amended) reduced damage rates during Harvey by approximately 20X.
Bount’s report, however, pointed out that – at the time of Harvey – 75,000 homes had been built in subdivisions developed in 2009 or later that conformed to the new, more stringent building codes. These homes were in subdivisions that used current infrastructure requirements for drainage and extreme event-flow analysis. Out of those 75,000 homes, only 467 flooded during Harvey, or 0.6%. That’s 20X less than 12%.
But even more impressive, Blount said that not one of those homes suffered substantial damage.
Factors that Made the Difference
After that, Blount’s 22-page presentation gets fairly technical. It deals with regulations that affect:
Elevation above the 100-year flood plain
Acceptable types of foundations in flood hazard areas
Building in floodways including width, depth, bracing and other construction requirements for piers
Where fill can and cannot be used
Detention pond requirements
Coordination with MUDs and Special Districts
Coastal vs. Riverine Flooding
Wind resistance
Elevation above street level and more
Photos reflect changing standards for building in floodways.
Driving around town after reading this report will be an eye-opening experience. Take any one of the factors mentioned above, for instance, elevation above street level.
As I was driving through Aldine last weekend to photograph the new detention basin along Halls Bayou, I was struck by how many homes, businesses, and apartment complexes were built several feet BELOW the street levels.
Page 12 of Blount’s presentation addresses this issue. “If the structure is a single family residence the finished floor shall be a minimum of 12 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade when measured 10 feet from the edge of the slab or 12 inches above the crown of the adjacent street whichever results in the highest elevation.”
Drive down Aldine Bender Road or Aldine Mail Route and look at the driveways that slope DOWN to properties. No wonder so many homes in this area flood.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2022 based on a report by the former Harris County Engineer John Blount
1651 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220307-Screen-Shot-2022-03-07-at-6.45.35-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C522&ssl=15221200adminadmin2022-03-07 19:07:272022-03-07 19:07:31How New Building Regs Cut Damage Rates During Harvey by Roughly 20X
City Seeks Your Feedback on Equity Indicators Survey
The City of Houston is launching its “Equity Indicators” project by asking for your comments to one important question: What makes a community equitable?
Reflecting Houston’s Diversity
Houston is the most diverse city in the nation, but despite the strength of our diversity and multiculturalism, Houstonians experience vast racial and ethnic disparities. The Equity Indicators Project will facilitate broader conversations on equity and inclusion, take active steps to measure disparities, and have leaders across multiple sectors be held accountable for taking action to increase equitable outcomes for all Houstonians.
The city is seeking feedback from community members to ensure that this project is reflective of Houston’s diversity and multiculturalism. Visit houstontx.gov/equity to share your thoughts on what makes a community equitable between March 6 until April 2.
“In a city where 146 languages are spoken, we must use every tool possible to ensure that every Houstonian’s voice is being heard,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This survey is a direct, impactful way to participate in making the city, its services, and its opportunities more accessible to people regardless of their background.”
Project Sponsored By…
The Equity Indicators project is led by the Planning and Development Department, Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, and Complete Communities, and ties to the vision and framework for a resilient community outlined in the Resilient Houston strategy. The city has partnered with Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research using the methodology developed by CUNY- Institute for State & Local Governance to focus on key indicators for equity in Houston. The Shell Foundation has funded this initiative that focuses on six themes:
How Data Will Be Used
The data analysis will result in an overall Equity Indicators Score for the City of Houston. The public, city departments, city programs, and community service organizations can track the score to document progress and change over time. The numerical value is based on a 100-point scale. A high score signifies Houston’s level of success toward building an equitable city, whereas a low score represents a high level of inequity and more opportunity for improvement.
For More Information or Printed Survey…
A printed survey card will also be available at city locations. Houstonians with questions or needing assistance filling out the survey may call 832-393-6637. For more information, visit Equity Indicators online atwww.houstontx.gov/equity.
Thought Starters: Aspects of Equity Measured by Various Indices
It seems everybody has a way to measure equity these days. Without trying to influence your opinion, I would simply reprint this list of indexes compiled by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/9/2022 based on a press release by COH and info compiled by Brookings
1653 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Next Challenge For City: Ditch Clean Out in Right of Way Under Kingwood Drive West of High School
About a half block west of Kingwood High School, G-103-36-03, a small drainage ditch without a name, cuts under Kingwood Drive. More than a hundred homes near this ditch flooded during Harvey. Before Imelda, Harris County Flood Control District did an emergency “de-snag” on the ditch. That means they cleaned out fallen trees that were forming “beaver dams” and backing water up.
But the right of way under Kingwood Drive has remained about half blocked by sediment. That’s what those red warning signs represent in the picture below. Clearing the right of way is the City of Houston’s responsibility.
Now, would be a good time to clean out this ditch while the City has crews working a block east of here at Kingwood High School.
Location of Blockage
When I clicked on the upper warning sign, I found a link to this image from 2019.
Pictures Taken Today Show Same Blockages
I’ve brought this issue to the attention of Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and his staff. I’m confident this was just an oversight and look forward to doing another positive story when they complete this job, too.
Posted by Bob Rehak on March 8, 2022
1652 Days since Hurricane Harvey
How New Building Regs Cut Damage Rates During Harvey by Roughly 20X
Today, I came across an eye-popping presentation by John Blount, P.E.. Blount served as Harris County’s Engineer for decades. He left his position last year after serving the Engineering Department for 34 years. The presentation discussed how new building regs adopted in 2009 (and later amended) reduced damage rates during Harvey by approximately 20X.
Before/After Stats
The Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) final Harvey report found that 154,170 homes flooded in Harris County during Harvey. HCFCD estimated that was between 9-12% of the structures in the County at the time.
Bount’s report, however, pointed out that – at the time of Harvey – 75,000 homes had been built in subdivisions developed in 2009 or later that conformed to the new, more stringent building codes. These homes were in subdivisions that used current infrastructure requirements for drainage and extreme event-flow analysis. Out of those 75,000 homes, only 467 flooded during Harvey, or 0.6%. That’s 20X less than 12%.
But even more impressive, Blount said that not one of those homes suffered substantial damage.
Factors that Made the Difference
After that, Blount’s 22-page presentation gets fairly technical. It deals with regulations that affect:
For Full Report and an Eye-Opening Experience
To see Blount’s full report on How Building Regs Affected Damage during Hurricane Harvey, click here.
Driving around town after reading this report will be an eye-opening experience. Take any one of the factors mentioned above, for instance, elevation above street level.
As I was driving through Aldine last weekend to photograph the new detention basin along Halls Bayou, I was struck by how many homes, businesses, and apartment complexes were built several feet BELOW the street levels.
Page 12 of Blount’s presentation addresses this issue. “If the structure is a single family residence the finished floor shall be a minimum of 12 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade when measured 10 feet from the edge of the slab or 12 inches above the crown of the adjacent street whichever results in the highest elevation.”
Drive down Aldine Bender Road or Aldine Mail Route and look at the driveways that slope DOWN to properties. No wonder so many homes in this area flood.
To make Blount’s report easy to find in the future, search on the keyword “Blount” or consult the Reports Page under “Construction Regs in Flood Hazard Areas” or “Hurricane Harvey and Flooding” tabs.
It’s bewildering why so many surrounding counties and municipalities have resisted upgrading their building, subdivision and flood plain regs.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2022 based on a report by the former Harris County Engineer John Blount
1651 Days since Hurricane Harvey