Houston, Texas, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, is redefining urban planning by leveraging cutting-edge 3D GIS technology to address its housing needs. Traditionally, cities have relied on zoning ordinances to guide land development, but Houston’s unique approach, focused on property subdivision, allows for greater flexibility in managing its vast 665 square miles of land.

The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has implemented ArcGIS Urban, a 3D scenario-planning software, to analyze and visualize the potential impacts of proposed large-tract housing developments. This technology allows HCD to create immersive, interactive models that provide city planners, residents, and other stakeholders with a clear understanding of how new developments might affect the surrounding communities. The initiative also supports Houston’s Affordable Home Development Program, enabling the city to evaluate the social and financial impacts of proposed developments and guide funding decisions for affordable housing projects.