Project Overview
The Demographic Consequences of Neighborhoods Opting Out of Smaller Lot Sizes: An Analysis of Houston's SMLS Areas
Department(s)
Economics
Abstract
In 1999, the City of Houston significantly reduced minimum lot sizes for the central business district area. However, the rezoning ordinance allowed any blocks to be able to opt out of these land use changes by getting petitions and holding a local vote to create Special Minimum Lot Size (SMLS) areas. We want to answer the question of what effects these opt-out areas had on demographic change in neighborhoods. Did these areas suceeed in keeping houses large? If so, what implications does that have for the types of households that live in such areas? Using geospatial information on Houston's SMLS areas and looking at the differential timing of when these SMLS areas were implemented, we will use causal inference techniques to infer what the likely effects were.
Student Qualifications
Passing Econ 375 (Applied Econometrics) by the end of Spring 2026. Familiarity with statistical programming languages like Stata. Preference for students who are interested in the process of economic research, are interested in the study of land use policies in cities, and have experience with GIS software.
Number of Student Researchers
1 student
Project Length
10 weeks
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