Now, this image is interesting for several reasons. First, and perhaps not surprisingly, there are areas of high-concentrations of light. Notice how Europe and eastern America are very well lit, while the west and most of the rest of the world are relatively dark... Next, notice how there are areas which are dark are being encroached upon by areas that are light. When this first came out, a friend of mine remarked how the tendrils of light along the eastern US appeared to creep out towards the west, showing how the population centers of the US were moving west. An interesting observation.
Further of interest is how - and it's particularly easy to see out in the west where the light/dark contrast is a bit more intense - the population centers are located along transportation corridors. The spider webs of lights draped across the western landscape are interesting at night, and you can see them most dramatically from these kinds of images.
But most clearly demonstrated by these images is the pattern of urban development and expansion. We are an increasingly urban world. Data from the latest Census bear this trend out. Please look at this link:
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb12-50.html
You may also see some interesting maps graphically showing these trends here:
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/2010_census_UA_maps/US_UAUC_2010.html
It is a trend that continues in spite of (and maybe BECAUSE of) the recent economic upheavals. I think there's a larger trend in this, though. As decaying infrastructure in the suburbs - installed in the 40s through the 90s - begins to require expensive replacement and retrofitting, and as younger and older people like the option of not having to do yard work and enjoy the flexibility of being able to leave their homes for extended periods, downtown/urban environments become more attractive. In addition, people enjoy being close to popular lifestyle venues - sporting events, art exhibits, concerts, and even downtown parks - is attractive. The reasons why people moved out to the suburbs in the first place - open spaces, congenial lifestyle, access to good schools, etc - are becoming out-moded as family dynamics change. It is an interesting trend, one where the ultimate ramifications are not yet clearly seen.
But what does this mean for Mont Belvieu?
Houston is one of the rapidly growing urban centers. In the past few years the change has been dramatic. People are drawn to the region by jobs and opportunity. But they are also drawn by the climate, by the activities and events, and by the other intangibles - quality of life, southern hospitality and charm, and pace of life. It is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
The influx of folks moving to the region means that we are experiencing pressure to develop. The next twenty years are going to be quite interesting. Development in Mont Belvieu has taken place to this point with little regard to the interconnectedness of the process. This is true on a regional scale - how do we relate to the rest of the region, from Beaumont to Sealy, from Galveston to Huntsville? - as it is on an inter-neighborhood scale. As a planner, my job is to think of how decisions made here have an impact on the region. Is what I am doing helping people? Does it reflect the standards and desires of the people for whom I work? Is it the best and reflective of the highest industry standards? And what about innovation and improvement?
Stay tuned. I'm optimistic about the future, both of our families, our community, and our country.
