Is the Houston Metro "Beautiful?" (Dallas, San Antonio: zoned, design)

[Texyn]

Originally Posted by Spade

Yeah I was going to say the same. Some of the most beautiful cities in the world are not in scenic areas. They are planned better and they use what they got to their advantage. Houston worked against what they got for so long. They could have made better use for their bayous. Like a gulfcoast bayou version of Venice. But they shunned the bayous and are now only starting to focus back on it but the damage is done. Houston is blessed with beautiful trees all over the metro. That can also be beautiful.

The problem with the bayou is that too many are focused on the narrower, western portions, where the banks get overtopped easily during floods. But farther east, where the bayou is wide enough to handle such flood waters, and provide grander views ... it's all wasted on industrial activity.

[crone]

IIRC, Bob Hope said the prettiest view in the world was from the Warwick Hotel looking down South Main.

[edwinpa7]

Originally Posted by MrJester

Houston is flat, but what it lacks in topographical variation, it more than compensates for in greenery.

Never understood why people bash Houston as "ugly" simply because it's flat, hot, and humid. Orlando is flat, hot, and humid, but it's nicknamed "The City Beautiful." Same goes with the Florida Panhandle--and no one thinks it's ugly! It's got sugar-fine sand and 85 degrees, crystal-clear, turquoise waters! Same with Cancun. Why not Houston?

Or, maybe people are still having the misconception that "Texas is desert, so Houston is desert too."

The only people calling Houston ugly are CD members from north Texas.

We shouldn't take people's opinions on here as gospel. Although I must admit it is irritating

[unbeliever]

Originally Posted by edwinpa7

The only people calling Houston ugly are CD members from north Texas.

We shouldn't take people's opinions on here as gospel. Although I must admit it is irritating

Not the only people..I was in Houston in March, and I was shocked by how unattractive the area is. Sprawl and mobile homes don't do much for me, and the tiny gentrified core didn't impress me. I hadn't been in the area in 17 years and I can't imagine going back for 17 more.

[Texyn]

Originally Posted by edwinpa7

The only people calling Houston ugly are CD members from north Texas.

We shouldn't take people's opinions on here as gospel. Although I must admit it is irritating

No, it's pretty much just urbanists, liberals, as well as people who equate beauty with mountains. The three often go hand in hand.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by Texyn

No, it's pretty much just urbanists, liberals, as well as people who equate beauty with mountains. The three often go hand in hand.

Liking mountains isn't a "Liberal" thing lol

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by Spade

Houston shouldn't be so down on this because in reality, it's a Texas thing. In fact, I would say San Antonio and Austin are just as bad with this miles of cheap ugly strip malls on the freeway. Dallas isn't to far behind. Those feeder/access/service roads only have one advantage to me and that's to escape traffic. Other than that, allowing businesses on them was a mistake. Now many of those feeder roads are mini highways themselves. Seen so many near misses on them more than on the actual freeway. To me, areas without those feeders look more aesthetically pleasing than areas with them.

Also, one thing Houston should actually love about their city is the greenery. It could actually be even more green.

Yeah, back in 2009 I visited Dallas before coming to college here. The drive down 183 towards Dallas was the ugliest drive I had ever taken in my life until that point, though on that same trip driving 35 trumped it. I've sense gotten used to it, but damn, Texas cities put a terrible face forward to visitors.

Same thing happened I first time flew into Houston. lol

[Texyn]

Originally Posted by Treasurevalley92

Liking mountains isn't a "Liberal" thing lol

Didn't say it was. Reading comprehension, my dude.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by Texyn

Didn't say it was. Reading comprehension, my dude.

Your words:

Originally Posted by Texyn

No, it's pretty much just urbanists, liberals, as well as people who equate beauty with mountains.The three often go hand in hand.

[Texyn]

Originally Posted by Treasurevalley92

Your words:

Again, reading comprehension. That's not saying the preference is exclusively a liberal thing, just that they can be associated with each other.