Watch: Conversations on the future of urban Texas

The Texas Tribune is pleased to present its "Future of" events series, exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Texas' government, business and civic communities and celebrating 10 years of exceptional journalism for an exceptional state.

Join us as we host two days of conversations in Houston on an array of topics facing Texas' biggest cities, including education, poverty, transportation, public health, housing, taxes, economic development, and the effect of precipitous population growth and dynamic demographic change on the way cities are governed, funded and developed.

Urban Texas and the Legislature

Panelists included state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston; state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio; state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; and state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin. Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune.

Ensuring Urban Health

Panelists are Elena Marks, president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation; state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston; Shreela V. Sharma, professor of epidemiology at UTHealth School of Public Health; and Stephen Williams, director of the Houston Health Department. Moderated by Juan Pablo Garnham, urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune.

The Challenge of Affordability

Panelists are Christine Drennon, director of urban studies at Trinity University; Adrian Garcia, commissioner for Harris County Precinct 2; and Myriam Igoufe, vice president of policy development and research at DHA. Moderated by Juan Pablo Garnham, urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune.

Investing in Transportation

Panelists are Sue Bauman, member of the DART board of directors; Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments; and Sanjay Ram, member of the METRO board of directors. Moderated by Kyle Shelton, deputy director of The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University.

A Conversation with the Mayors

Panelists are Steve Adler, mayor of Austin and Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston. Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune.

Educating the Next Generation

Panelists are Colette Pierce Burnette, president of Huston-Tillotson University; Pedro Martinez, superintendent of San Antonio ISD; Joe May, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District; and Christina Mier, fourth and fifth grade gifted and talented teacher at Coldwell Elementary School in El Paso ISD. Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune.