By Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D., Department of Sociology, Rice University

The data from the 2000 "Texas Environmental Survey" for Harris County show that fully 79.1% agreed with the statement that "we need better land-use planning to guide development in this area." Only 13.7% agreed instead that "people and industry should be free to build wherever they want."

The remaining 7.2% did not answer the question.

The figures for those who expressed an opinion were 85.2% for land-use planning and 14.8% for the
unfettered freedom to build wherever you want.