Louisiana
Court Bars EPA Probes in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
A federal court ruling effectively prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from pursuing civil rights claims in one of the nation’s most polluted regions.
FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant to Fund Marsh Restoration
The grant to fund a marsh restoration project in coastal Louisiana is the first of its kind under FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance program, which is typically used to elevate, acquire, or relocate homes or floodproof businesses.
Amtrak Gains Final Approvals for Return to the Gulf Coast
A vote by the Mobile city council secured three key agreements that will pave the way for bringing passenger rail service back to coastal regions east of New Orleans.
New Orleans Transit Struggles to Maintain Service
Regional transit agencies, already forced to make cuts, are calling for state funding to help them maintain service and access federal grant opportunities.
New Orleans to Offer Free Transit to Youth
Residents between 16 and 24 will have access to free public transit passes starting in September.
New Orleans Program Installing Public Water Fountains
The city plans to install drinking fountains in more neighborhoods to provide access to water for unhoused residents.
New Orleans Faces $1 Billion Shortfall for FEMA-Funded Roadwork
After years of delays, cost overruns, and deadline extensions on a FEMA-funded street repair program, New Orleans officials face a massive funding shortfall and accusations of mismanagement.
The Permanent Affordability That Wasn't: Lessons from the Pythian Building
A high-stakes, high-profile community land trust project once hailed as a triumph in New Orleans ended in disaster for its residents, but it’s important to draw the right lessons about why.
How ‘Opportunity Hoarding’ Harms Communities
Wealthy communities are incorporating their own cities, draining tax revenue and resources away from surrounding neighborhoods.
Louisiana Coastal Protection Agency Under Threat
The state’s new governor wants to shrink the power of the agency, which has spearheaded essential flood protection and mitigation efforts since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
How New Orleans is Reaching Unhoused Residents
A new city office brings together resources to offer wrap-around services and housing to the most vulnerable residents.
Baton Rouge Will Split into Two Cities Following Court Ruling
A wealthy portion of Baton Rouge will split off and incorporate its own city in what proponents say is a bid for better schools and reduced crime, but critics say it will gut Baton Rouge’s tax base and result in a wealthy ‘white enclave.’
Florida Is the Deadliest State for Cyclists
Seven of the 10 U.S. counties with the highest cyclist fatality rates are located in Florida, new analysis shows.
Judge Halts EPA Action in ‘Cancer Alley’ Civil Rights Case
EPA investigations into violations of the Civil Rights Act in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” were ruled as “federal overreach.”
EPA: Louisiana Can Approve Carbon Capture Projects
Environmental groups worry carbon sequestration could impact water supplies and pollute the same communities already impacted by oil and gas extraction.
Commentary: We Need to Build for Disaster, Not Simply Focus on Recovery
As the frequency and severity of weather events increases, building codes need to be adjusted to include resilience principles.
Population Losers
California's population dipped below 39 million as of July, according to the Census Bureau, after seeing its net domestic migration loss this year exceed last year's. Only New York has seen a greater loss as a percentage of population.
New Orleans Bike Share Celebrates 300,000 Rides
The city revived its bike share system under a community-run model in 2021.
New Orleans Residents Fight Freeways With Science
A local coalition is collecting data that proves the harmful impacts of the Claiborne Expressway on the surrounding community.
New Orleans Short-Term Rentals in Limbo
A federal judge halted the city’s lottery-based program in August, leaving current and prospective hosts in a legal gray area.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
