Houston: A planned city

[KittyFen]

Unplanned cities in most developing countries are now facing untold problems and the costs of addressing these problems are spiraling out of control each passing year. Most of such cities have now become concrete jungles with no open spaces for recreation or fun. The same situation could have happened in many cities in North America but for the timely efforts of likeminded concerned individuals.

A fast growing city and home to some of the leading institutions in space research, urbanization in Houston began at an accelerated phase. Before things got into a mess, a leading personality who was the founder of a watchdog rallied together a large number of civic, business and charitable organizations to affect a change.

This umbrella group decided upon certain important areas to work upon so as to improve the amenities in the city. When the open spaces in the city were being threatened, this umbrella group decided to create an awareness about the need for more parks, natural vegetation along streets, the need to keep the city clean from graffiti etc.

People who were skeptic of the results at first and kept aloof came to this movement in large numbers. A movement that began with few people became a mass movement, which came to be replicated not only in Houston but also in other cities in the U.S. All the credit for this goes to Dick Weekley, the founder of a renowned real estate business group in Houston.

The renowned watchdog that Dick and his brother created has become a respected institution in Texas, which is the main voice of the oppressed and the marginalized. The bold efforts taken by this watchdog to track down the Nexus between the politicians and the businesses is now the talk of the town.