The Lower 9th Ward has been slow to return to its pre-Katrina state. A new program by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority changes recovery strategy in the neighborhood.

A new development subsidy program by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) is designed to provide new homeownership opportunities in the neighborhood that suffered the most catastrophic damage of any part of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina, the Lower 9th Ward.
The program "offers subsidies to developers willing to turn some of the vacant Lower 9th Ward properties NORA owns into affordable single-family homes for purchase," reports Jessica Williams.
According to Williams, the new program offers relief to residents and stakeholders in the Lower 9th Ward who believe programs in the neighborhood since Katrina haven't helped the neighborhood recover to its previous conditions. Some neighborhood advocates believe NORA programs have failed to support and attract homeowners since Katrina.
"But developers and some city officials say the demand for homes in the Lower 9th Ward has been lackluster because the neighborhood lacks important services. They see it as a chicken-and-egg problem that might be remedied if public subsidies could be used, at least at first, to lure new renters," explains Williams.
FULL STORY: Lower 9th Ward could become home again with subsidies from New Orleans Redevelopment Authority

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)