Preserving Greenspace
Over the coming years, with the demands of population growth, Houston stands to lose what's left of its beautiful, precious ecosystem.
Forecasts show that by 2035 about three-and-a-half-million more people will be living in Houston, and the region is expected to grow to nine million people by 2036. If development and transportation trends and policies continue, most of the remaining greenspace will be covered with roads and buildings by then.
It's not just the beauty and tranquility of greenspace that would be lost. Greenspace makes it possible to have air, water and food-all essential for life.
Houston's growth is unavoidable, but there are choices that can be made to that will preserve natural resources and provide a healthier more beautiful place to live for more people.
Positive alternatives to current trends are being explored by The Houston-Galveston Area Council through a process called Envision Houston 2035. Ideas include:
- Develop mass transit instead of more roads.
- Develop garden cities around the major business hubs that exist, and connect them with mass transit.
- Create networks of creeks, rivers and bayous into the countryside.
This is just a glimpse of the ideas sparked by Envision Houston.