Have Planners Made the Gulf Coast Better Since Katrina?

In the eight years since Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast states have made great strides in adopting new visions for their cities and towns. A new report outlines the recovery's progress, pointing to successes in housing and transportation.

1 minute read

September 3, 2013, 6:00 AM PDT

By Alek Miller


Federal, state, and local authorities' response to the needs of the Gulf Coast have resulted unexpected improvements, particularly in housing, explains Michael Newsom: 

"The Katrina cottage, developed as an alternative to FEMA trailers, was also an overall success, [Former Biloxi, Mississippi Mayor Gerald] Blessey said. About 2,400 of the cottages, which came from ideas in the report, were permanently placed." 

"'At first, (the cottages) were supposed to be temporary,' Blessey said. 'So many people liked it. Staying on their own lots made a lot of difference, especially to elderly people, disabled people. We were able to successfully convince all the jurisdictions to change their rules to allow them to become permanently placed.'"

"'We have about 1,000 more public housing units than we had pre-Katrina,' he said. 'That program for low, low income people was a godsend …. There's always a need for public housing and we had a need before Katrina, but the fact that we increased it by about 1,000 is really a credit to the local officials and the local housing authorities.'"

Additionally, in rebuilding transportation infrastructure has allowed the states to make improvements that they otherwise would not have. For example, two major bridges were rebuilt with biking and walking paths. 

Saturday, August 24, 2013 in The Sun Herald

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

3 hours ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

4 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

5 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.