Louisiana

Audubon Park, New Orleans

Green Spaces Are Making a Comeback in New Orleans

Some good news from a state that has seen far too much bad news this year: local officials report that the trees of New Orleans are making a surprisingly strong comeback after devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

August 30, 2016 - The New Orleans Advocate

Hurricane Katrina

Planetizen Week in Review: August 20, 2016

Climate change dominated the news this week, as flooding wreaked unfathomable havoc on the state of Louisiana.

August 20, 2016 - Planetizen

Louisiana Flooding

This Is Climate Change: Eight 500-Year Storms Since May *2015

The extreme weather events predicted for decades by climate scientists have been on parade in the Southern United States all year. Are we ready to say, "this is climate change"?

August 17, 2016 - The New York Times

Rescue Efforts Underway as Southeast Louisiana Faces Historic Flooding

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is describing the flooding in Southeast Louisiana as an "unprecedented and historic flooding event."

August 15, 2016 - The New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans

New Orleans Planning Commission Recommends Limits for Short-Term Rentals

The New Orleans City Council must still approve regulations for short-term rentals, but the Planning Commission has spoken.

August 10, 2016 - The Times-Picayune

New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

Unexpected Good News for Children Arises from an Environmental Devastation

Hurricane Katrina may have devastated much of New Orleans, but in its wake, literally, unexpected good work was done. Clean sediment was deposited over lead-contaminated soil, one reason why lead levels in children decreased.

July 28, 2016 - The Times Picayune

Reimagining LA

Study: Bureaucracy Restricts Housing Supply

A recent study by Trulia concentrates on elasticity (i.e., the rate at which housing stock grows, relative to demand), and arrives at the conclusion that bureaucracy, not regulation, is responsible for rising housing prices.

July 21, 2016 - Trulia

Tangier Island

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Low-Lying Coastal Towns Debate Choices

Two U.S. coastal communities are debating the merits of staying or leaving due to effects from climate change and rising sea levels

July 17, 2016 - Public Radio International

Shotgun Homes, New Orleans

New Orleans Mayor Announces Five-Year Affordable Housing Plan

Faced with increasing numbers of residents more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs, the mayor of New Orleans has announced his intentions to build or preserve 7,500 affordable units by 2021.

June 23, 2016 - Gambit

Clear-Sky Flood

Welcome to a Changed Climate: It Even Floods When it's Sunny

A new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documents the increasing frequency of nuisance floods and "clear-sky flooding."

June 11, 2016 - USA Today

New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

New Flood Maps Downplay Risks in New Orleans

Recently released flood maps created by FEMA for the city of New Orleans are receiving criticism for being 'overly optimistic' when it comes to risks posed by hurricanes and rising sea levels.

June 3, 2016 - The New York Times

C.J. Peete Public Housing, New Orleans

Reintegrating Ex-Convicts Means Giving Them a Place To Live

The New Orleans Housing Authority has approved reforms to policies on public housing for ex-convicts in an attempt to stem homelessness among the newly released and to foster better reintegration.

May 24, 2016 - The Nation

New Orleans Doors

New Orleans Public Housing Opens Its Doors to People With Criminal Records

The Housing Authority of New Orleans has approved a new policy on criminal background checks that will remove the ban on residents with criminal records.

March 31, 2016 - The Times-Picayune

Modern Tram Proposal Taking Shape in Baton Rouge

The Baton Rouge tram, as the city is describing its proposed transit project, now has a preferred route and is ready to proceed to the final stages of environmental review.

March 11, 2016 - The Advocate

Big Transit Happenings Expected for the Sun Belt in 2016

A streak of landmark years for public transit in Sun Belt cities from the West Coast to the Florida Panhandle will continue in 2016.

December 27, 2015 - The Urban Edge

New Orleans Residents Seeking Less Density From the Zoning Code

A zoning controversy in a neighborhood in New Orleans has locals questioning how well the city's new Comprehensive Zoning Plan reflects the city's Master Plan.

November 14, 2015 - The Lens

Northbound Amtrak

Louisiana, Gulf Coast Push for New Passenger Rail Service

A new passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is just one of the links being proposed along the Gulf Coast.

November 7, 2015 - The Advocate (Louisiana)

Shotgun Homes, New Orleans

New Orleans Holding Out Hope HOME Program is Spared in Budget Fights

With Congressional budget negotiations ongoing in Washington, New Orleans home builders, policy makers, and low-income residents are hoping that the HOME Investment Partnership program comes out unscathed.

October 29, 2015 - The Times-Picayune

FEMA Trailer

The Katrina Cottage Legacy

The New Urbanist Katrina Cottages initiative for the Gulf Coast appeared to be a failure but their legacy lives on in the SmartDwellings and in the Tiny House movement.

September 20, 2015 - Original Green

Marohn Debates O'Toole

Charles Marohn, known as a reformed traffic engineer that launched Strong Towns, recently debated Randall O'Toole, known as the anti-planner. Recommended for understanding the conflicts that arise on the right side of the political spectrum.

September 17, 2015 - Strong Towns

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

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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Planning for Universal Design

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