This month the West Houston Association wrapped up two more projects with Rice University students as part of the Social Science Consulting Practicum. Since the collaboration started in August of 2020, WHA has worked with over 60 students across 19 real-world projects. Students in the program interact with WHA members and community partners seeking creative solutions to challenges facing the greater Houston region. These experiential learning opportunities have students engaged in research and analysis culminating in a presentation and report on their recommendations.
The first project emerged from discussions between the developer of Park Eight Place and the Alief Super Neighborhood Council, both seeking ways to boost economic growth in Southwest Houston. This initiative assessed the feasibility and potential benefits of establishing a Texas Commission on the Arts-recognized Cultural District in Alief/Southwest Houston. The project included a comprehensive analysis of the economic and social impacts, a clear definition of a cultural district, and an evaluation of whether Alief/SW Houston possessed the cultural assets and community support necessary to sustain such an initiative. A comparative analysis with other cultural districts was also conducted to identify opportunities and address potential gaps.
Students Abigail Chang, Erin Kang, America Salas, and William Wang, guided by WHA member Cristin Emshoff (Baxter & Woodman) presented their findings, highlighting Alief’s rich cultural mosaic, celebrated for its linguistic and gastronomic diversity. They demonstrated how a cultural district could honor this diversity, foster community pride, support local businesses, and attract visitors, creating both social and economic benefits. Their work provides a robust foundation for future efforts to showcase and enhance the unique character of the Alief area and its role within the Greater West Houston region.
The second project was inspired by Harris County Commissioner Precinct 4 Lesley Briones’s call to ‘re-envision Westpark Tollway.’ The team conducted a detailed mile-by-mile assessment of the tollway and its surroundings, identifying over a half-dozen potential connection sites before narrowing their focus to two: a pedestrian bridge over Westpark into Brays Bayou Park and expanding a trail between Clayton and Altamira running under Westpark. These sites were selected based on their potential for impactful community benefits, moderate infrastructure demands, and distance from existing connections.
The students, Raj Shroff, Sarah Knowlton, Maria Eduarda Musa, and Kaitlyn Knobbe, guided by WHA Member Michael Bloom (5engineering), performed in-depth analyses of the two proposed connections, evaluating factors such as public health benefits, walkability, inter-community connectivity, environmental awareness, and economic impact, using Harvey ball diagrams for comparative analysis. While the park connection promised greater benefits for a larger population due to its proximity to a dense community and access to more amenities, the Clayton and Altamira pathway enhancement offered a more cost-effective approach. The team presented their findings to members of the Harris County Precinct 4 Planning and Community Engagement staff. Their work provides actionable insights to support infrastructure planning that enhances connectivity and enriches community life.
We are inspired by the creativity and dedication the Rice students brought to these impactful projects, which reflect the core mission of the West Houston Association to foster quality growth and infrastructure. Through their work on evaluating a cultural district in Alief/SW Houston and identifying community connections along the Westpark Tollway, the students gained hands-on experience in the type of work WHA champions—balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to improve communities. These projects challenged the students to think like planners and developers, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, thoughtful site selection, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders. By addressing real-world challenges and offering actionable insights, the students not only showcased their talent but also deepened their understanding of the critical role that planning, connectivity, and stakeholder engagement play in shaping vibrant, sustainable communities.
A complete list of projects, students, and reports are available on the WHA website as part of our Quality of Life research series.