San Antonio has a choice to make. The data is in, the patterns are clear, and the tools are available. We can continue business as usual — subsidizing sprawl, ignoring systemic inequities, and falling behind on infrastructure. Or we can take a smarter, data-driven approach to growth.
Urban3’s work gives us a roadmap. First, we can prioritize infill development and remove barriers to building the kinds of places that are financially productive — walkable, mixed-use, and diverse in housing options. This means revisiting zoning, reducing parking minimums, and supporting missing middle housing.
Second, we need to treat downtown and other productive areas as the economic engines they are. These areas already generate far more value per acre than their suburban counterparts. Investing in their continued vibrancy is not just good for livability — it’s fiscally responsible.
Third, we must address inequities in the property tax system. That means better transparency, improved data collection, and fairer assessments across all neighborhoods. Everyone deserves to be taxed based on the real value of their property, not outdated or inaccurate assumptions.
Finally, San Antonio should use geoaccounting tools and lifecycle cost modeling in its planning and budgeting processes. These tools allow us to see where our money is coming from, where it’s going, and what kind of development gives us the best return.
Good decisions start with good information. Urban3’s analysis empowers San Antonio to grow in a way that’s more fair, more efficient, and more sustainable. Now is the time to act on it.
San Antonio has a choice to make. The data is in, the patterns are clear, and the tools are available. We can continue business as usual — subsidizing sprawl, ignoring systemic inequities, and falling behind on infrastructure. Or we can take a smarter, data-driven approach to growth.