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Timed with the 89th Texas Legislature, a coalition of leading policy institutes in Texas has launched the Texas Metropolitan Blueprint. This five-year plan offers strategies in economic development, energy, housing and land use, infrastructure, natural resources, and artificial intelligence to help policymakers address challenges linked to the state's rapid population growth.
The initiative is spearheaded by the LBJ School of Public Affairs Urban Lab at The University of Texas at Austin, the George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, and the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. Over 175 leaders from Texas' business community, government agencies, and nonprofit sector collaborated to develop research-driven solutions for urban areas facing growth-related challenges.
Steven Pedigo, faculty director of the LBJ Urban Lab at The University of Texas at Austin, stated: “This collaboration reflects the best of Texas: bold ideas, rigorous research and a shared commitment to keeping our metros as engines of innovation and opportunity.” He added that after three decades of steady urban population growth, "Texas has reached a crossroads."
Since 2010, Texas has gained four million new residents with projections indicating an additional 17 million people by 2050. This growth brings opportunities but also challenges such as outdated land-use policies, rising housing costs, and infrastructure strains exacerbated by extreme weather. Emerging technologies like AI and electric vehicles could double energy demand while workforce and income disparities persist.
Pablo Pinto from the Center for Public Policy at the University of Houston's Hobby School emphasized that “The Texas Metro Blueprint not only outlines strategies and policies for state, local and business leaders to consider but also delivers an action-oriented playbook with clear steps and priorities.”
With a GDP ranking among the world's top ten economies, 90% of Texas' economic output comes from its metropolitan regions. These areas are home to nine out of ten Texans. Examples include San Antonio's leadership in bioscience and aerospace; Austin's forefront position in technology; El Paso's strong binational economy; Dallas-Fort Worth's corporate real estate innovations; Houston's role in U.S. oil production; and Texas' lead in clean energy.
The Blueprint provides 27 recommendations based on principles such as supporting local innovation over one-size-fits-all solutions; investing in infrastructure and affordable housing; focusing on homegrown talent through education initiatives; engaging private sectors to solve major challenges; removing barriers to entrepreneurship; and leveraging global challenges into local opportunities.
J.H. Cullum Clark from the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative remarked: “Texas’ future hinges on the success of its metros,” highlighting how this plan unites diverse voices for strengthening workforce capabilities and enhancing infrastructure.
The full details are available in the 2025 Texas Metropolitan Blueprint authored by J.H. Cullum Clark along with Rene Cross, Sherri R. Greenberg, Steven W. Pedigo, Pablo M. Pinto, Maria P. Perez Argelles.