The Center for Houston’s Future released the results of its 2009 study of three essential components that it says are vital to Houston’s quality of life and economy. In its second Environment Indicator Report issued last month, the Center assessed air quality, availability of park space, and the state of the tree canopy in the region.

Their research showed that air quality is the best it has been in the last twenty years. However, the Center says that the data indicates that there are still serious health concerns caused by air pollutants. The Houston region meets the requirements for five of seven EPA-identified pollutants that adversely affect human health. For the period 2006 to 2008 Houston was not in compliance with the attainment standard for annual particulate matter, and has a history of failing to meet the ozone standard. Ozone can cause respiratory and other health problems.

The Houston region is still classified as a severe non-attainment area for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. Houston made progress in reducing ozone concentrations in 2007-2009, and according to the study will likely be in attainment for that period at the ‘97 standard. The EPA has now extended Houston’s deadline for meeting the standard to 2019. The region’s failure to meet the previous ozone standards has been costly in terms of health and the economy, the study says. As a consequence of non-compliance the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is expected to impose fees of $50 million to $150 million on area industry.

The Center says the Houston region’s ability to meet the EPA’s newer standards will be a challenge. It says that the types of industries in the region, along with urban sprawl and its required excessive driving, impact the quality of the air. If the EPA lowers the ozone standard to the more stringent levels that are being proposed, the study says, “Houston’s air quality may not conform to the EPA’s ozone standard for the foreseeable future.” For this reason the study urges the region to “come together to improve its air quality.”

Another indicator of the quality of life examined by the study was the amount and location of parks and trails in the region. It found that no new land has been allocated recently to parks, despite population growth and increasing development. The City of Houston Parks Department manages 350 developed parks, and more than 200 green spaces including esplanades. In its 2007 Master Park Plan Update the City does recognize the need to meet the demands of population growth, and has set goals for acquiring future parks and trails. From 2003 to 2008 the City purchased 5,819 acres of park space with 10% of it in the Lake Houston Wilderness Park. Although the study was unable to get current data, 2006 statistics showed that 27% of the population of Houston lived within a quarter mile of a park.

Harris County also falls short of its Master Plan in acquiring park space. It currently has 14.05 acres of park space per 1000 residents. Its goal is 20 acres per 1000 residents, but it admits that may need to be reviewed to assess whether it will meet the community’s needs.

Greenway trails were included in the measurement of park space. These are off-road paths that can be part of a park, reservoir, MUDs, flood control land or wetland. They can also be along bayous or other off-road rights of way. Referring to the trails, the study said: “They benefit the community in terms of accessibility of park space to citizens outside the quarter mile buffer, as well as increase citizen mobility and habitat connectivity.”

The tree canopy was the third indicator researched by the Center. Several studies have shown that the Houston region tree canopy declined by 17% to 24% between 1992 and 2005. Over 78 million trees were lost during this time period, due mostly to commercial and residential development. Recently Hurricane Ike and drought conditions have resulted in additional tree damage and losses. The study lauds the efforts of public agencies, citizens and organizations who planted one million trees in the greater Houston area from 2000-2008. This includes many property owners who have added trees to their yards.

The study points out that trees are an important component of the quality of life. “Houston’s regional forest helps improve air quality by reducing temperature, directly removing pollutants from the air and reducing building energy use. This includes the consequent pollutants from power plants.” Trees reduce heat and energy use by creating shade, and help manage storm water runoff to prevent flooding.

The study is part of ongoing research that the Center conducts to monitor Quality of Place indicators, and inform citizens in the greater Houston region. Its purpose, it says, is to engage the community to plan for the future through research and collaboration with officials and civic organizations.

The Center for Houston’s Future was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit research organization of the Greater Houston Partnership. It was later redeveloped as an independent affiliate to address long-range strategic planning for the region. “With cities in the nation working on improving their Quality of Place, and competing to tilt the decision-making scale towards them, it is imperative that the Greater Houston region examines its goals to ensure that it not only stays in the race, but that it leads it.”

For more information visit www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org.