As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how rapid population growth is reshaping the state — and what it will take to manage that growth successfully over the next decade.

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio, and A.J. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President at Texas 2036, for a deep dive into the rise of Texas “mega regions” — particularly the fast-growing Austin–San Antonio corridor.

With Texas now exceeding 31 million residents and continuing to grow rapidly, the conversation focuses on how interconnected metropolitan regions — including the broader Texas Triangle — are becoming the true drivers of economic growth, population expansion, and global competitiveness.

Cisneros and Rodriguez explain that Texas is no longer defined primarily by rural or energy-based economies, but by large, dynamic urban regions producing the majority of the state’s GDP. They argue that the key challenge ahead is not whether Texas will grow — but whether leaders can plan effectively to manage that growth.

The discussion also covers:
• The rise of the Austin–San Antonio mega region and the broader Texas Triangle
• Why regional collaboration — not city-by-city planning — is critical to future success
• Housing affordability challenges and the risks of underbuilding
• Water supply, infrastructure gaps, and long-term sustainability concerns
• Transportation bottlenecks, congestion, and the need for rail and mobility innovation
• Workforce development, education, and closing the postsecondary attainment gap
• Economic mobility, poverty challenges, and the importance of human capital investment
• Lessons from other global regions that failed — or succeeded — in managing growth

The conversation highlights a central theme: Texas is at a pivotal moment. With the right planning, coordination, and investment, it could become one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world — but failure to act could lead to congestion, affordability crises, and missed opportunity.

Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors.

00:00 — Introduction to Texas growth and the Future of Texas series
00:25 — Texas population growth and rise of mega regions
01:15 — Guests introduced: Henry Cisneros and A.J. Rodriguez
02:01 — Urbanization and the Texas Triangle explained
03:36 — Why Texas growth is inevitable — and what’s at stake
05:09 — Regionalism and planning for 2036 population growth
06:18 — Austin–San Antonio mega region and regional identity
08:14 — Economic power of Texas metro regions
09:44 — Texas as a global economic competitor
10:38 — Collaboration vs competition between cities
11:32 — Infrastructure challenges: transportation and congestion
16:11 — Water supply risks and long-term planning
18:43 — Housing affordability and supply challenges
22:08 — Economic mobility and poverty concerns
25:02 — Workforce development and education gaps
29:00 — Need for regional coordination and governance structures
32:04 — Rail, mobility innovation, and future transportation
37:00 — Role of state government and policy coordination
41:34 — Lessons from other regions that failed to plan
45:13 — Global competition and Texas’s economic potential
52:17 — Preparing the workforce for AI and future jobs
54:56 — What Texas must focus on before 2036
57:04 — Final vision: what Texas could become if done right

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The Future of Megaregions

Texas Talks