A model home here that gives Katrina's displaced an alternative to trailer living is starting to take the country by storm.
"The Katrina cottage - with living quarters about the size of a McMansion bathroom - is now appealing to people well beyond the flood plain. Californians want to build one in their backyards to use for rental income to help with the mortgage payment. Modestly paid kayakers in Colorado see it as a way to finally afford a house. Elsewhere, people envision building one so a parent can live nearby." (From the Christian Science Monitor)
"Lowe's Cos., the second-largest U.S. home-improvement retailer after Home Depot Inc., will sell the plans and materials for a neotraditional Katrina Cottage at about 30 stores in Louisiana and Mississippi beginning in November. The announcement comes after Marianne Cusato, a New York designer, struck a deal with the Mooresville, N.C., company to market her concept." (From the Wall Street Journal)
"Inspired by the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog homes of the early 20th century, a group of designers led by Marianne Cusato has teamed with Lowe's Cos. to market build-it-yourself houses in the Gulf Coast region. The homes, called 'Katrina Cottages,' are a response to the demand for new housing after last year's devastating hurricanes. Ranging in size from 544 to 936 square feet, the two-bedroom dwellings will be delivered in phases to buyers in Mississippi and Louisiana, beginning in the fall, Lowe's announced yesterday." (From Building Design+Construction)
"The homes were developed by New York designer Marianne Cusato, along with several leading architects. Shortly after the storm struck the Gulf Coast, Cusato began campaigning for weather resistant, low-cost housing to help rebuilding efforts in the affected areas. In January, she displayed a prototype of the cottage at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla." (From The News & Observer)
"Now the designer has made a deal with Lowes to sell packages of plans and materials in four different designs ranging from 544 to 936 square feet, that will cost from $ 25,000 to $ 50,000. Good for floods (no drywall) and winds up to 140 miles an hour. Selling at Lowes may not sound like a big deal, but in fact is a huge step in the prefab business- a major mainstream retailer selling architect-designed, well resolved solutions at reasonable prices." (TreeHugger)
Thanks to Anthony Flint
FULL STORY: A stylish cottage for Katrina country is a hit all over

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)