Scenic Citizen – ULI – Houston

Scenic Houston is proud to name the Urban Land Institute – Houston as this month’s Scenic Citizen.

Working through its membership of real estate and land use professionals, ULI-Houston encourages and rewards best practices in urban development.

“Our members strive to create beautiful spaces that have great visual appeal, plus make economic sense and have proof in value,” says David Kim, Executive Director of ULI-Houston.

Through networking, continuing education, and annual awards the organization has helped foster a professional appreciation for the value of good placemaking in Houston.

At ULI-Houston’s Leadership Luncheons members learn of emerging trends and new ideas. Some recent forward-thinking topics include tackling parking requirements with beauty and designing communities specifically for creative types. Attendees often spark creative discussions themselves as the luncheons provide a venue for dialogue among citizens, the city and developers.

Beyond education, ULI-Houston recognizes best practices through its Development of Distinction Awards recognizing open space, not-for-profit, and for-profit projects. By highlighting compelling developments, the organization seeks to reinforce the value of good design and encourage more projects of similar quality.

For example, David hopes engaging public spaces will become a more common focus for developers in Houston. He currently oversees the Houston District Council of the ULI organization where he executes strategies to strengthen ULI’s brand at a local level. ULI-Houston is the local arm of the Urban Land Institute, the national organization dedicated to “leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.”

Both Scenic Houston and ULI-Houston are devoted to enhancing the quality of life for all Houstonians. As Houston’s development landscape evolves, ULI-Houston will rely on the expertise of its members to keep smart planning and thinking in its creative process. “Our development community does a good job responding to customer demand,” David says, “They respond to the growing change of population. They want people to be happy and use their spaces.”