Houston Flooding Solutions: Q&A with Patrick Phillips, ULI CEO
Patrick L. Phillips
HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Residents of Houston are demanding answers. When Hurricane Harvey stalled over the region in late August, some areas received as much as 50 inches of rain, flooding more than 100,000 homes and inundating hundreds of commercial properties, schools and performance halls. Questions now dominate public debate: where did Houston’s drainage and flood management fail? Should residential development be allowed near flood-control reservoirs? Why are many houses built in the 1950s that had stayed dry for decades now suffering flood damage? Calls are rising for updated regulations for homebuilders and master-planned communities, and some argue most future houses should be raised on pier-and-beam foundations.
To help address these difficult issues, Realty News Report spoke with Patrick L. Phillips, global chief executive officer of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Founded in 1936, ULI is a global nonprofit research and education organization with more than 40,000 members representing developers, architects, investors and other land-use professionals. ULI’s mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and to support the creation and long-term health of thriving communities worldwide.
Realty News Report: Many believe Houston is at the front line of climate change, and that stronger, more frequent storms will increasingly threaten coastal regions. Do you share that view?
Patrick Phillips: There’s no question Houston is on the front line. Climate change makes storms more frequent and often more powerful, and other coastal regions will be watching closely to learn from Houston’s experience.
Realty News Report: What should Houston do next?
Patrick Phillips: Houston should study approaches used elsewhere—both in the United States and internationally—to confront similar challenges. There’s a lot to learn from places that have faced recurrent flooding and rebuilt to be more resilient.
Realty News Report: What changes are needed to land-use policy and flood control?
Patrick Phillips: There’s no single solution. After Superstorm Sandy, ULI helped evaluate many proposals, and the federal government organized design competitions to rethink coastal resilience. Houston will need a mix of strategies—policy, design, infrastructure and incentives—to reduce future risk.
Realty News Report: Will Houston leaders have the political will to follow through, or will reform stall in bureaucracy?
Patrick Phillips: The response will depend largely on how frequently and intensely storms recur, which will shape political priorities. My experience is that collective memory fades, and cities often repeat the same mistakes unless strong institutional changes are made.
Realty News Report: You were involved in early planning for Buffalo Bayou Park before leading ULI. The park suffered significant silt deposits and damage to trees and trails during Harvey. How do you assess that?
Patrick Phillips: From what I’ve seen in national coverage, Buffalo Bayou Park is a resilience success story. It was designed to absorb flooding impacts, and while it took a hit, it largely survived and stands as a symbol of the city’s ability to endure extreme events.
Realty News Report: Some worry that repeated damage—Memorial Day Flood 2015, Tax Day Flood 2016, and Hurricane Harvey—suggests we built a costly riverside amenity that will be repeatedly hit. Thoughts?
Patrick Phillips: Those events do raise important questions. Some see a pattern that could indicate a “new normal”; others view these episodes as rare anomalies. How the city interprets and plans for recurrence will be crucial.
Realty News Report: Houston is famed for having no traditional zoning. Is that approach still effective?
Patrick Phillips: Houston’s lighter regulatory framework has produced clear benefits, particularly around housing supply and affordability. But markets can fail, and regulations exist to manage risks and externalities. Finding the right balance between growth, affordability and safety is essential—Houston’s approach has advantages, but it also brings certain vulnerabilities.
Realty News Report: How can Houston improve its reputation?
Patrick Phillips: Houston’s reputation is more positive than some assume. The city’s diversity, dynamic neighborhoods, and many institutions are strengths. People in Houston have rallied after disasters, showing resilience and creativity.
Realty News Report: Anything else you’d highlight about Houston’s assets?
Patrick Phillips: Houston has a strong culinary scene, vibrant neighborhoods, top-tier educational institutions and a world-class medical center. Those are significant assets to build on.
Realty News Report: What about tourism and conventions?
Patrick Phillips: The Gulf Coast, Galveston and waterfront areas, along with attractions like the Space Center, contribute to a healthy visitor economy. Houston may not become a global tourism mecca overnight, but the city has gotten better at promoting itself and showcasing its assets.
Realty News Report: Can sports events help reshape the city’s image?
Patrick Phillips: Major sporting events like the Super Bowl can boost visibility and civic pride. Recent playoff runs and the World Series helped keep Houston in the national spotlight.
Realty News Report: ULI recently studied the Astrodome and recommended creative reuse, including converting below-grade levels to covered parking and redeveloping the historic stadium. Your view?
Patrick Phillips: I agree with the panel: the Astrodome is a historic asset worth preserving through an imaginative reuse. It will be capital-intensive and require ongoing creativity, but Houston has the resourcefulness to make it work.
