A new flood plan for Norfolk, Virginia aims to establish a new model for coastal resilience.
Ryan Murphy reports on the recently unveiled plan to fortify the neighborhood of Chesterfield Heights in Norfolk, Virginia, from coastal erosion and sea-level rise.
"[The] ambitious $112 million federally funded plan — the final version of which was unveiled last week — aims to halt the advance of the water and keep Chesterfield Heights dry for decades to come, as Norfolk faces down an estimated 2½ feet of sea level rise within 50 years," according to Murphy.
The plan, called the Ohio Creek Watershed Project, expanded beyond the original plan to build a series of seawalls and five drainage pumps. Murphy explains the changes since earlier versions of the plan:
Softer options like earth berms replace hardened sea walls. The berms, several feet high in some places, will be easier to update and reinforce than a traditional concrete structure — just toss some more dirt on it.
And
Ohio Creek is tidal and will flood and drain freely, as it always has. But Hayes Creek right next door will have a tide gate that can be dropped at low tide when a storm is coming. The creek and its wetlands will serve as a basin, collecting rainwater rather than letting it flood neighborhood streets. Then the gate will reopen after the storm to let the water drain out to sea.
The idea for the plan is also to export the knowledge gained from the plan's new and varied approaches to cities and communities in other parts of the country.
FULL STORY: Norfolk's $112 million flooding plan will fortify one neighborhood — and test other solutions

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

NYC Outdoor Dining Could Get a Re-Do
The city council is considering making the al fresco dining program year-round to address cost concerns from small businesses.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service