Jason Miller reports how coastal Mississippi cities and towns are moving post-Katrina plans and ideas towards implementation.
"Since Hurricane Katrina's landfall three years ago, the communities of the Gulf Coast have approached planning and development in a variety of ways. Here, we take a look at some noteworthy efforts and their progress to date. Also, don't miss the SunHerald's city-by-city report from August 24, 2008.
Bay St. Louis
PlaceMakers, LLC continues to work on Bay St. Louis' Architectural Guidelines and Subdivision Regulations, reports Susan Henderson with the firm. As of Aug. 22, 2008, the architectural guidelines were 95 percent complete, with a target completion date of mid-September. The subdivision regulations are 70 percent of the way toward completion; Henderson hopes they will be finished before the holiday season.
D'Iberville
A preliminary SmartCode for D'Iberville's historic downtown area and its surrounding neighborhoods was developed by Jaime Correa and Associates in collaboration with the City of D'Iberville Planning Commission, Jeff Taylor and Deonne Olier from the Planning Department, and the general public. The consultant's fees were paid with a Community Development Block Grant awarded by the State of Mississippi last December. The final version is posted in the City's Internet home site; it will be submitted for approval to the City Council in July."
Thanks to Sandy Sorlien
FULL STORY: Mississipi Rebuilding Community Planning Report
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.
Two Narratives Collide in Post-Katrina New Orleans
“A narrative of rebirth, reform and success that coexists with a narrative of stasis, failure and unrealized dreams.”
What Can Sandy Learn from Katrina about Housing?
As the Sandy clean-up gets underway, could this be an opportunity for the Eastern Seaboard to apply some of the rebuilding lessons learned along the Gulf Coast after Katrina? Ben Brown shares some pointers.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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