Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.

A report from the Urban Land Institute, UCLA, and USC offers guidelines for more resilient, sustainable rebuilding in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires. The project includes “in-depth technical analysis and actionable recommendations to accelerate recovery and build long-term resilience in communities.”
The researchers identified roadblocks to recovery and strategies for resolving issues. These include standardizing debris removal, streamlining the permitting process, stabilizing the property insurance market, and focusing on increased preparedness and resilience in rebuilt infrastructure.
The report elevates the need to account for long-term climate adaptation in rebuilding plans. “Strategies identified in the report include prioritizing inclusive community engagement, accounting for post-disaster emotional stress in recovery and resilience planning, and incorporating wildfire-resilient vegetation and land-use management practices.”
Stuart Gabriel, director of the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, said the project is intended to offer “ongoing relevance” as a framework for how to respond to similar events in the future.
FULL STORY: Urban Land Institute, UCLA, USC Release Comprehensive Roadmap for Post-Wildfire Rebuilding in Los Angeles

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

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

How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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