Houston is facing higher temperatures due in part to its large areas of vacant pavement and abandoned buildings. According to a report from Bisnow, which cites research from Texas A&M University, the city has about 10,000 acres of abandoned structures and another 45,000 acres of paved but empty lots.
Researcher Dingding Ren from Texas A&M used drone imagery and NASA satellite data to determine that these concrete spaces can make land surface temperatures up to 20 degrees hotter than nearby areas with vegetation. This comes as Houston continues to see rising average temperatures and holds one of the highest office vacancy rates in the United States at approximately 26 percent.
Concrete surfaces retain heat longer than vegetated land, contributing to the so-called “urban heat island” effect. While Houston has started demolishing some unsafe or vacant properties—including several buildings in Midtown set for removal before the 2026 FIFA World Cup—other strategies focus on mitigation rather than demolition.
The Resilient Houston plan aims to reduce heat by promoting lighter-colored roofs, expanding tree canopy, and planting 4.6 million native trees by 2030. Trees For Houston, a nonprofit organization involved in this initiative, expects to plant about 800,000 trees over this decade.
Developers are also becoming more involved by adding shade trees and using reflective materials in new construction projects.
“When everyone shares responsibility — the city, NGOs and developers — that’s when we really move the ball down the field,” Ward said.
The economic impact of increased heat is significant. Hotter pavement and rooftops can discourage tourism, put pressure on energy systems, and decrease productivity.
“We set out to build a climate-controlled city,” Downtown Houston+ CEO Kristopher Larson said in his State of Downtown address last week. “Now, we’re learning to embrace our outdoor spaces again.”
One example is Discovery Green park downtown, which draws over three million visitors each year despite high temperatures. The city plans to redesign streets such as McKinney and Preston with more trees and shaded areas as part of its Downtown Public Realm Action Plan.
