Houston is getting taller, though. 3-4 story townhomes, 4-8 per former single family home lot are taking over lots of old, rundown neighborhoods.

Maybe that's not your optimal amazing perfect development. But it doesn't count as not going up.

Of course, it's also growing out at a tremendous rate as well.

Houston is growing outward WAY faster than it is growing upward.

Of course, Houston is not helped by having weather not terribly conducive to walking year round.