Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Steinberg.
Hi Alan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I often tell people I’m a recovering academic. I love learning so I’ve spent more of my life in school than out of it. After earning my Ph.D. in political science, I was teaching at Sam Houston State University and was exposed to the concepts of community-engaged learning, where the community becomes the classroom and the research subject. From there, I went to Rice University working in the Center for Civic Leadership and leading a program where interdisciplinary teams of students did research with community partners on issues facing the city of Houston and its residents. After over five years and 30+ projects, I decided to try my hand at something that allowed me to spend more time in the community. In my current position with the West Houston Association, I get to be part of so many complex issues full of interdependencies that allow me to always be learning new things while improving the quality of life for the people of the region.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While the road has been pretty smooth, I never knew where it was going to lead. I have been lucky in that there have been no major struggles getting to where I am now. Lots of challenges, but all ones I have enjoyed tackling. There have, however, been a few sharp turns. For example, I almost took a more traditional academic job in Utah rather than the community-engaged research job at Rice University. I was hours away from accepting it when I got the call from Rice. My life would probably be a lot different had I ended up not staying in the Houston area.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Started over forty years ago, the West Houston Association was a unique attempt by Houston’s major land developers, financial interests, and large corporations to bring order and rational planning to the rapidly developing suburban areas on the west side of the City of Houston. Today the greater West Houston region encompasses over 1,000 square miles and over 2,000,000 people. We are a non-profit that envisions a greater West Houston region where everyone has opportunities for great experiences to live, work, and play. We work to make that happen by encouraging quality development, sustainable infrastructure, long-term planning, and sound public policy. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, we address challenges facing West Houston and strive to bring new ideas for improved mobility, better infrastructure, reduced flooding, accessible parks and recreation, economic growth, and a sustainable quality-of-living environment.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Development in the Houston area is going to continue to flourish. There is a constantly increasing flow of people moving into the region. This influx of people is great for our economy but it will be a strain on our infrastructure. We need to be thinking long-term about where people will live, how they will get to work, what schools they will attend, how they will spend their leisure time, and what to do to ensure they have water, power, sewers, and other aspects of infrastructure to support a high quality of life. The West Houston area has been a desirable place for over forty years and with new development, will continue to be of interest to businesses and residents alike. We must continue to plan for the future, consider new ideas, and be proactive to ensure that the region stays a great place to live, work, and play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westhouston.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westhoustonassociation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestHoustonAssociationWHA/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WHoustonAssoc
