Skip to content

Talking Headways Podcast: The End of “Planning By Pitchfork” in Houston

On September 30, Houston passed a new comprehensive plan, more than 14 years in the making, and ceased to be the largest city in the United States without one. Jay Crossley of Houston Tomorrow and Streetsblog Texas joins us this week to discuss Plan Houston and how it allows the city to stop "planning by pitchfork."
podcast icon logo

On September 30, Houston passed a new comprehensive plan, more than 14 years in the making, and ceased to be the largest city in the United States without one. Jay Crossley of Houston Tomorrow and Streetsblog Texas joins us this week to discuss Plan Houston and how it allows the city to stop “planning by pitchfork.”

Houston is famously a city without much zoning. Hear Jay’s thoughts about how this works to the city’s advantage, whether locals oppose changes to neighborhoods as vociferously as people in other cities, and how different departments will now coordinate under Plan Houston.

We also discuss how the goals of Plan Houston were shaped, what got left out intentionally, what was jammed in at the last minute, and how it may change in the future.

Photo of Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood is the creator of the Talking Headways podcast and editor of the newsletter The Overhead Wire.

Read More:

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog USA

Trump’s ‘Freedom Means Affordable Cars’ Rings Hollow As Gas Prices Surge

March 30, 2026

Monday’s Headlines Pedal Backwards

March 30, 2026

Transit Safety For the People, By the People

March 30, 2026

Friday Video: Five Bike Advocacy Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making

March 27, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Take a Free Ride

March 27, 2026
See all posts