Jonathan Demme's new documentary, "Right to Return: New Home Movies from the Lower Ninth Ward," shows us residents who have returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
"In 'Right to Return' viewers get to know preachers, artists, single mothers, young professionals. Mostly these people talk: about rebuilding, dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, about what their neighborhood was like and what was lost, existentially and literally, when the waters ravaged the city. They describe waiting for insurance money, electricians, debris removal, mail service."...
"Pastor Mel, for one, said he was hopeful that the combination of Mr. Demme's artistic imprimatur and Mr. Smiley's journalistic and political bona fides would spur action on behalf of the city.
" 'We're Americans here, not just New Orleans residents,' he said in a telephone interview. 'We're just normal, everyday working people doing what we're supposed to be doing, and things like the Internet are not back, the lights are not back, the telephones are not back, the sewers and the streets are deplorable. It's all God helping us.' "
Segments of the film will be on Tavis Smiley's PBS show this week.
FULL STORY: Demme’s Tales of Ordinary Heroes in New Orleans
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
‘Innovative DOT’ Guide Offers Path to Resilience for State DOTs
A new resource offers concrete recommendations for thriving in a changing transportation landscape, prioritizing a ‘fix it first’ approach to infrastructure maintenance.
USDOT Eliminates Environmental, Equity Considerations
A new memo rescinds Biden-era regulations that prioritized renewable energy, accessibility, and equity for historically disadvantaged communities.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research