Mr. Richard P. Browne This is Me

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1. 1. www.texasrealestate.com

   www.texasrealestate.com/web/2/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/27/2006   Last Visited: 11/11/2007

   One of them is Richard P. Browne, visiting professor of research in urban design and planning at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston.
   
   "When we think about and contemplate the doubling of our nation's population, questions come to mind," says Browne.
   ...
   Browne believes some totally new cities are needed because "we can't double the population of our cities without a total failure of present infrastructure capacity." He says it is possible to build new villages with pedestrian-friendly centers and rationally spaced regional employment centers that reduce highway congestion , if plans are drawn up soon.
   
   What also concerns Browne is that the doubling of the U.S. population is just an average. The more desirable places will see their populations triple or even quadruple this century. One of those places is the Sunbelt.
   
   "With the invention of air-conditioning, the Sunbelt states now hold an edge over northern cities for expansion in this century," says Browne. "Unfortunately, at the present time I see no movement to prepare for the avalanche of population that is so large as to require the doubling of infrastructure, housing stock and all other components of modern life."
   
   Browne says the United States needs to evolve from a nation of "shelter builders" to one of "community builders" if the level of civilization known today is to continue.
   
   "In a nation filled with avid environmentalists who spend their lives worrying about the snail darter, migratory butterflies, Alaskan caribou and turtles on Florida beaches, I have to wonder where is the group that is equally concerned about the environment for humans?"
   
   Browne asks what plans are being made to accommodate the 100 million new homes that will be required.

2. 2. Where Will the People Live?

   recenter.tamu.edu/binc/printpa - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/1/2004   Last Visited: 7/2/2004

   One of them is Richard P. Browne, visiting professor of research in urban design and planning at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston.
   
   "When we think about and contemplate the doubling of our nation's population, questions come to mind," says Browne.
   ...
   Browne believes some totally new cities are needed because "we can't double the population of our cities without a total failure of present infrastructure capacity." He says it is possible to build new villages with pedestrian-friendly centers and rationally spaced regional employment centers that reduce highway congestion - if plans are drawn up soon.
   
   What also concerns Browne is that the doubling of the U.S. population is just an average. The more desirable places will see their populations triple or even quadruple this century. One of those places is the Sunbelt.
   
   "With the invention of air-conditioning, the Sunbelt states now hold an edge over northern cities for expansion in this century," says Browne. "Unfortunately, at the present time I see no movement to prepare for the avalanche of population that is so large as to require the doubling of infrastructure, housing stock and all other components of modern life."
   
   Browne says the United States needs to evolve from a nation of "shelter builders" to one of "community builders" if the level of civilization known today is to continue.
   
   "In a nation filled with avid environmentalists who spend their lives worrying about the snail darter, migratory butterflies, Alaskan caribou and turtles on Florida beaches, I have to wonder where is the group that is equally concerned about the environment for humans?"
   
   Browne asks what plans are being made to accommodate the 100 million new homes that will be required.

3. 3. Galveston County Daily News

   www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?e - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/21/2004   Last Visited: 6/21/2004

   Ho-hum says developer Richard Browne, who may have a $100 million answer to mall monotony. He is asking Friendswood City Council today to consider changing zoning for a massive project he's planning for 138 acres at 3118 FM 528 and Clear Creek.
   
   Browne is planning a $1.8 million, "mixed-use" center on a parcel known as the Whitcomb property, creating a complex he's confident the 150,000 residents in a five-mile radius from the development can support. The project, unusual for Friendswood and for Texas, will include an open-air retail center with lofts above; a residential project that includes 600 units; office space; a hotel, a marina that can accommodate 100 boats and an amphitheater.
   
   "The area lacks a destination, one-stop lifestyle center where people can go to a movie, go to the bank, go to Starbucks or a book store," said Browne, who for 26 years worked as senior vice president of planning for The Woodlands, founded by Galveston-born oilman and developer George P. Mitchell.
   ...
   Browne, who also is a visiting professor at the University of Houston's Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, was involved in the redevelopment of The Strand in Galveston, a Mitchell initiative and a retail rarity that includes blocks of independent boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues among restored Victorian architecture.
   
   Browne has said he envisions a pedestrian mall at the project's center.
   ...
   With all the proper city approvals, Browne said he would move forward in the next few months, working with architects on the final design.
   
   The developer of the project is Whitcomb Clear Creek Farms, a partnership between Browne and the Whitcombs, a prominent, longtime Friendswood family.
   ...
   Browne said he planned to deliver something different than other developers.
   
   "Unfortunately, most developers or builders buy a strip of land on FM (Farm-to-Market) or frontage, hire an architect, throw in single-store pad sites with treeless parking lots and rent out the space," Browne said.