More Houston

Another reason for Houston’s rapid growth has been due to strip annexation. Which is the process of adding areas adjacent to a city into the city’s borders. Basically the city builds a highway to some point outside of it’s borders then claims that it owns everything on both sides of the highway.
Cities contend that annexation is a vital component of municipal development, preventing population loss and resulting urban decline. Critics state it should be limited, giving more control to residents of outlying areas to manage their own affairs. Many cities outside of Houston city limits are quite pleased with their own current city services.

Houston began it’s upward ascent towards the energy capital of the world in 1937 when it acquired the site of it’s first major airport, William P. Hobby Airport. As the city grew, so did it’s airport system. George Bush Intercontinental Airport was added in 1969 and Ellington Field was added in 1984. As the city continues to grow the airport systems are still growing as well.