Despite having a population of over 29 million, Texas is a large state with a lot of empty spaces and abandoned cities. Because they were formerly bustling settlements that were abandoned for a variety of reasons, some of these locations are known as “ghost towns.” Some are more contemporary instances of urban deterioration, with empty and underutilized housing complexes and office buildings. What are the reasons for these deserted cities in Texas?
Growth and Decline of Ghost Towns
Economic boom and bust cycles, particularly in sectors like mining, oil, railroads, and agriculture, are typically the cause of ghost towns. As these industries prospered, they drew laborers and residents, who established villages and commercial centers nearby. However, the towns lost their economic viability and their residents moved away when the resources ran out, the markets crashed, or the transportation routes altered.
Texas has a number of ghost towns, including:
- Terlingua: A historic mining community in the Big Bend known for its chili cook-offs and mercury manufacturing. After World War II, there was less demand for mercury, so it was abandoned in the 1940s. Now it’s a popular tourist destination and a meeting place for adventurers and artists.
- Thurber: Previously the biggest town between Fort Worth and El Paso, Thurber is a coal mining town in Erath County. When the mines closed and the Texas and Pacific Railway converted from coal to oil in the 1930s, it was abandoned. It is a historic site now, complete with a chimney and museum.
- Lobo is a railroad town located close to the New Mexico border in Culberson County. When the water source dried up and the railroad service was halted in the 1960s, it was abandoned. It is now a cemetery and a few-building ghost town.
The Problem with Unoccupied Office Space
A more recent occurrence, empty office space is brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the move toward remote work. Numerous companies and workers have come to understand the advantages of telecommuting, including reduced expenses, increased output, and increased freedom. Consequently, there is less of a need for office space, which has left many buildings unused and unoccupied.
The following cities have high rates of office vacancy:
- Houston is the biggest city in Texas and a significant center for the petroleum sector. It has the highest office vacancy rate of any major U.S. city at 25%. The scenario, which was already impacted by the collapse in oil prices and the excess availability of office space, has gotten worse due to the epidemic.
- The second-largest metro area in Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth boasts a diversified economy that includes industries like technology, banking, and aviation. At 23%, it has the second-highest office vacancy rate among major U.S. cities. The region was formerly among the fastest-growing in the nation, but the pandemic has slowed down its growth and development.
- Austin, the state capital of Texas, is a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. It has the third-highest office vacancy rate in major U.S. cities, at 21 percent. Many startups and digital organizations have adopted remote work and hybrid models in response to the pandemic, which has reduced their demand for physical office space.
The Consequences of Vacuity
Urban emptiness can negatively affect urban life’s social, environmental, and economic facets. Among the possible issues are:
- Loss of services and revenue: Towns and buildings that are vacant require more upkeep and security as well as fewer tax revenue. This may have an impact on the standard and accessibility of public infrastructure, including parks, schools, and highways.
- Downtown neighborhoods that rely on office workers to sustain restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment establishments may see a decline in foot traffic and spending due to empty office space. This may result in additional closings, openings, and blight, starting a vicious cycle of urban deterioration.
- Waste of land and resources: Unoccupied towns and structures take up resources like water, electricity, and materials that may be put to better use. Additionally, they occupy space that may be used for housing, farming, or environmental preservation. Both sprawl and environmental degradation may result from this.
The Possibilities of Being Vacant
Empty cities can benefit from chances for creativity, adaptation, and revival. Among the potential fixes are:
- Repurposing and redevelopment: Disused towns and buildings can be developed for new uses, such as housing, healthcare, education, or leisure. This can improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban planning in addition to increasing the diversity and affordability of urban areas.
- Tourism and preservation: Disused cities and buildings can be promoted as historical and cultural landmarks, including art galleries, museums, and festivals. In addition to raising local communities’ income and employment levels, this can raise knowledge of and respect for the history and identity of metropolitan areas.
- Reimagining and experimenting: New concepts, like co-working, co-living, or co-creating places, can be envisioned and tested out in abandoned cities and structures. This can support urban economies’ innovation and entrepreneurship as well as residents’ creativity and teamwork.
In summary
Texas’s empty cities are the product of several historical and modern factors, including demographic shifts, industrial cycles, and technological advancements. Urban planning and development are presented with both opportunities and difficulties by them, necessitating vision and action from both public and private parties. They also provide insights and lessons for the future of cities, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of urban life in Texas.