massurban:

“The Greening of Houston

Anthony Flint. Feb 3, 2012

After many years, Buffalo Bayou is finally coming on its Nixon in China moment.

Or, perhaps, a little bit of Paris in Texas.

The 10-square-mile Brownfields restoration in the front yard of downtown Houston is a collection of parks, walkways, a performance center, botanical gardens, boat landings, and residential development, all along the waterway that winds in from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the kind of neighborhood revitalization project, complete with retooling freeway corridors and re-using vacant and industrial land, that one might see in Portland, Oregon.

But instead it’s an injection of urbanism in the land of sprawl – and a showcase in a city famous its lack of zoning. That rejection of the fundamental framework of most other American cities has made Houston averse to urban planning and design.

In fact, there is regulation in place in Houston. Building standards and development are controlled through neighborhood covenants and other restrictions. The downtown has towers and a grid like most other cities. But development has been guided by the principle that the free market should prevail.

The fundamentally green and carbon emission-mindful infrastructure of Buffalo Bayou may also seem incongruous with the capital of fossil fuels. But Houston has become remarkably green in its civic impulses. One notable figure in sustainability there is oil and gas magnate George Mitchell and the George and Cynthia Mitchell Foundation, who brought in the legendary Ian McHarg to design the Woodlands in Texas. The Buffalo Bayou Partnership has been the coalition to frame the goals, provide the management of some 6,400 acres, plan the park and facility improvements, and keep it all together.”

Via: The Atlantic

Photo credit: Buffalo Bayou Partnership

New Astros owner mulls name change

HOUSTON — New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms.

Crane said Monday the team will conduct a study to decide whether or not to switch the name.

“We’re going to study the information both from the fans and from all sorts of marketing people,” Crane said. “I’m not saying we’re going to change. We haven’t made the decision yet whether we’re going to change.”

The team was established in 1962 as the Colt .45s and has been called the Astros since 1965 when it was changed to coincide with the move to the Astrodome.

Crane said switching uniforms is something they are “highly considering.” Any changes wouldn’t happen until 2013 when Houston makes the move from the National League to the American League.

Read more

See more Astros logos here

What do you think about the possibility of a name change for the Astros?

houstonhostlr:

The Art Car museum, or “Garage Mahal”, displays a variety of art cars and other contemporary art. Houston is considered the “art car capital” of the nation, and this museum displays many cars that have driven in past Art Car parades. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm, always free. Visit www.artcarmuseum.com for more information.

(via fuckyeahhouston)

Tell me a bit about yourself and your back-story, so the readers can get to know you better. Who is Give Up? Where are you from? How long have you been writing?

Give Up: I grew up in a chemical town just south of Houston, Texas. I’ve been living in Houston since probably ‘97. I started writing graffiti in the mid ’90s but realized a few years in that my ego was bigger than my ability. I still wanted to get up but wanted to do something I could really own as my shit so i started doing GIVE UP around 2000, 2001.

It’s an older interview, but click through for more!

(Source: beefranck)

stickemupmovie:

We have exclusive discount tickets available for this year’s Artopia. Use promocode “STICKEMUP” Hope to see you all on the 28th! http://www.houstonpressartopia.com

Grandalism Featuring DECK WGF: Okay, street art fans, it’s time for this year’s Grandalism, curated by GONZO147. You owe it to yourself to check this out while it’s at DiverseWorks from January 19-February 25. More info if you click on the photo.

sillyjessjess:

Close up of city hall. Houston, Texas.

aluster:

We’re finally settled in at the new @shooteditsleep offices. Come out and check it out this Friday! Huge thank you to Danny Clark photography for hosting this event!

Event Description: 

Shoot Edit Sleep has moved into a new studio and would like to invite you to the first ever Open House - Not For Sale Art Show. 

That’s right, NOTHING IS FOR SALE. 

Alex has collected a ton of artwork over the years and wants you to come check it out. Other than just standing around looking at him he would rather you see some of his great collection of artwork by various street artists from around the world. 

Artwork to be displayed are from artists such as Garro, 2:12, Eyesore, Coolidge, Shepard Fairy, Give Up, Death Head, Cutthroat, Wiley Robertson, Shreddi, Vote Right, Dual and gonzo 247. 

Come out to 2427 Bartlett and see the new space, gaze art artwork that is not for sale and visit with Alex from 6 to 11 on January 13th 2012!