Abandoned land drives dangerous heat in Houston, study finds

Land Value Tax vs Current Property Taxes

• Several commenters argue a land value tax (LVT) would discourage holding vacant or underused land, since tax would be based on land value only, not buildings; tearing structures down wouldn’t reduce tax liability.
• Others counter that Texas already has very high property taxes, which they say are driving demolitions of usable buildings to reduce appraised value and pushing some owners toward foreclosure and homelessness.
• Critics of any property-based tax argue that taxing assets (land or structures) is inherently unstable over long periods, disproportionately harms less wealthy owners, and incentivizes predatory speculation and displacement.
• Supporters reply that, in practice, property tax is the main local revenue source and that LVT is widely considered “least bad” among tax options, especially compared to taxing commerce.

Abandoned/Vacant Land, Ownership, and Tax Treatment

• There’s disagreement over whether the land in the study is truly “abandoned” or better described as speculative holding, often with minimal use (e.g., low-grade tenants, surface parking).
• Some suggest much “open” land around Houston is classified as agricultural to drastically reduce tax bills (e.g., hay fields, hobby beekeeping, “pet cows”), benefiting investors and large ranch owners.
• Others note that genuinely abandoned or contaminated industrial properties can become tax-delinquent and effectively ownerless: LLCs walk away, taxes accumulate, and municipalities hesitate to seize properties due to cleanup and maintenance costs.
• Various foreclosure and tax-lien mechanisms are discussed, with debate over whether tax debts typically exceed land value and how easily governments can or should take title.

Urban Heat Island, Buildings, and Cooling Strategies

• Commenters reinforce that concrete, asphalt, and abandoned buildings store and radiate heat long after sunset, while vegetated areas cool faster, leading to strong temperature contrasts even over tens of miles.
• Some suggest repurposing derelict lots for green space, pools, or solar-covered parks; others note maintenance, mosquitoes, and stormwater management as constraints.
• AC is recognized as shifting heat outdoors and adding net heat via energy use, with side discussions on white roofs, lawns, and new passive radiative-cooling materials.

Trees, Green Space, and Equity

• Multiple participants highlight evidence that green space lowers temperatures and is associated with reduced crime and better well-being.
• Others point out practical downsides in places like Texas: expansive soils plus large trees can damage foundations and pipes, and trees near houses increase hurricane risk and long-term maintenance costs.
• Several note that affluent Houston neighborhoods tend to be heavily treed and cooler from above, while poorer areas are more paved and exposed, exacerbating heat and inequality.

Urban Form, Zoning, and Transportation in Houston

• Commenters describe Houston as sprawling, car-centric, and effectively unwalkable in many areas, despite nominal absence of zoning.
• There is tension between calls for upzoning/YIMBY reforms to increase floorspace and concerns that current regulations only make massive, disruptive projects financially viable, provoking local opposition.
• Some highlight recent political moves to remove bike lanes and restrict scooters as signs the city is doubling down on car dependency rather than mitigating heat and improving livability.