188. Duke Reiter on What Phoenix Can Teach San Antonio About Water, Heat, and Downtown Universities
This week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on the future of San Antonio and other Southwestern cities through the lens of urban design, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
Bob sits down with Duke Reiter, architect, educator, and founder of the Ten Across initiative, to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the cities connected by Interstate 10—from water scarcity and aging infrastructure to rapid growth, affordable housing, and the realities of climate change.
Their conversation explores why San Antonio is at the crossroads—literally and figuratively—for issues shaping the region’s future, how public-private partnerships like the new Central Texas Alliance can bridge gaps between local and state government, and what lessons from Phoenix might inform San Antonio’s evolution.
They discuss:
- The origins and goals of the Ten Across project
- How Southwestern cities are coping with water shortages and infrastructure strains
- Prospects for mass transit, rail, and new mobility solutions in rapidly growing metro areas
- The impact of data centers, energy demands, and economic development along I-10
- Emerging issues around affordable housing and university expansion in downtown cores
- How San Antonio and Phoenix are responding—or failing to respond—to heat, extreme weather, and climate adaptation planning
If you want a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping San Antonio’s next decades, this episode brings regional perspective to local challenges.
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