Since 2003, The Polis Center collaborated with universities, state agencies, and local governments to develop FEMA-funded multi-hazard mitigation plans that meet the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requirements. They use GIS analyses, including FEMA’s Hazus-MH, to quantify our risk assessments in terms of potential physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters. Then the center works with each jurisdiction to brainstorm and document potential mitigation strategies to minimize those impacts and build resiliency in the community.
Leading national experts discuss flood mitigation strategies, how these strategies interact with broader planning efforts and communities, and how to best pay for this work. They will explore a range of site-specific mitigation strategies including low impact design, green infrastructure, and urban-scale green space preservation.
Event co-hosted by Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium and Kinder Institute for Urban Research
When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August 2017, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University had spent the previous 18 months working with local government, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy to help them use data to improve communities. The Kinder Institute was also poised to launch a website with newly compiled neighborhood indicators to support its community partners under the umbrella of Houston Community Data Connections.
In August, Urban Harvest launched its mobile market to bring healthy and affordable food options to underserved areas with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables....
In collaboration with United Way of Greater Austin, Children's Optimal Health (COH) created a set of maps showing 211 requests for assistance across Austin’s multi-county...
Leading national experts discuss flood mitigation strategies, how these strategies interact with broader planning efforts and communities, and how to best pay for this...
In collaboration with United Way of Greater Austin, Children's Optimal Health (COH) created a set of maps showing 211 requests for assistance across Austin’s multi-county MSA region. The 211 service, run by United Way in many communities, is a place residents can call for help when they are experiencing hardship, which has particularly become relevant in the COVID-19 outbreak crisis. In Texas, the governor publicly identified 211 as the place residents should call for assistance.
In August, Urban Harvest launched its mobile market to bring healthy and affordable food options to underserved areas with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The nonprofit collaborated with the Kinder Institute’s Houston Community Data Connections to create a data-based decision support tool that helps ensure the mobile market is being dispatched to areas of Houston where residents need it the most.
Idea Showcases are 5 minute opportunities to highlight or talk about the great work our organizations are doing. We had a great line up for this showcase!
