featured in Houston Chronicle | Rating Houston’s Sidewalks

Houston’s sidewalks have long been a source of frustration for its residents.

A recent analysis from the Houston Chronicle revealed just how patchy and disconnected the city’s pedestrian network is. For anyone navigating Houston on foot, the experience can feel disjointed and the data backs this up.

A study of the city’s nearly 6,000 miles of sidewalks shows that only 61% are considered to be in “good” condition, according to Houston’s Public Works Department. That means a significant portion is in “fair” or “poor” condition, leaving Houstonians to contend with cracked pavement, overgrown vegetation, and broken paths that limit accessibility and negatively impact quality of life. Worse still, about 142 miles of sidewalks are so isolated from the city’s main network that they’ve been dubbed “sidewalk islands,” effectively leaving many pedestrians stranded without a safe and connected path.

This issue disproportionately affects Houston’s underserved communities. Many of the worst-rated sidewalks are found in neighborhoods east of downtown, where residents often face additional infrastructure challenges, lower incomes, and higher populations of residents of color. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about equity, safety, and quality of life.

The Houston Chronicle’s findings echo concerns raised last year by TBG Houston Principal, Blake Coleman and Senior Associate, Jaime Zwiener in response to the “No More Sidewalks to Nowhere” ordinance. That proposal, part of the City of Houston’s larger effort to revamp its sidewalk policies, included a controversial fee-in-lieu system that would allow developers to pay a fee instead of constructing sidewalks. While the fee might provide short-term financial relief, it risks further fragmenting the city’s already disjointed pedestrian network. Without comprehensive planning, such measures would fail to address the systemic problems plaguing Houston’s sidewalks.

“No one experiences life through a car. It’s the times you’re out of a car and experience things that add value to your life,” says Blake Coleman.

His statement perfectly encapsulates the underlying issue with Houston’s sidewalk woes. Sidewalks, unlike roads or highways, are intimate parts of the urban landscape. They connect communities, promote walkability, and give people an opportunity to engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way. When they’re broken or disconnected, they diminish not only the pedestrian experience but also the social fabric of the city.

The analysis underscores the need for Houston to take a hard look at its infrastructure, particularly in historically underserved areas where investment in sidewalks has lagged behind. The city has an opportunity to ensure that all its residents, regardless of zip code, have access to safe, connected, and well-maintained sidewalks.

As Houston continues to expand, there’s hope that initiatives like the Houston Chronicle’s investigation and the ongoing discussions sparked by TBG’s blog post will lead to more comprehensive, thoughtful sidewalk policies. Addressing these disparities isn’t just about improving walkability, it’s about making Houston a more equitable, connected, and livable city for all.

To read the full analysis done the Houston Chronicle, visit their website here.