Brad Pitt

'New Orleans Saved Itself': Cutting-Edge Community Planning Post-Katrina

Ten years ago, a number of architecture firms went to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina for a humanitarian "experiment"—rebuilding part of the underserved Lower Ninth Ward as an innovative, LEED Platinum, affordable community.

August 28, 2015 - The Planning Report

'Make It Right' Expands Homebuilding Mission to Assiniboine and Sioux Lands in Montana

Habin Kwak reports that Brad Pitt’s home-building operation, Make It Right, is expanding its operations outside of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward and a subsequent expansion in Kansas City.

July 9, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Brad Pitt Struggles to Make It Right in New Orleans

Brad Pitt's Make It Right foundation has built 90 cutting-edge homes in New Orleans' largely abandoned Lower Ninth Ward. Stores and services have stayed away, however, prompting many to wonder if the area will ever become a livable community again.

March 13, 2013 - The New Republic

Brad Pitt's New Orleans Homes "Symbolically Invaluable"

Architecture critic James Russell tours the homes built in New Orleans' Ninth Ward by Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation and finds a lot to like.

August 25, 2010 - Bloomberg News

New Orleans, the Shotgun Shack, and Brad Pitt

With due respect to Mr. Pitt for trying, some New Orleans architects and urbanists say the buildings he's brought to the city are "alien" and don't respect local tradition.

May 11, 2010 - Flavorpill

When The Planners Go Marching In

There’s just one problem with academia. Sometimes it can be so … academic. In the interest of getting out into the world, I’m writing this post from Nawlins (nee New Orleans), where 16 other Penn planners and I are spending our weeklong spring break doffing our tops for beads and booze doing pro bono city planning work. For most of us, it’s been nothing short of a paradigm shift—and the week ain’t over yet.

March 12, 2009 - Jeffrey Barg

Ninth Ward, The Movie: How To Really Rebuild New Orleans

New Orleans is still struggling, especially its hard-hit Lower Ninth Ward. The economic recession has been bad news for development all over the world, and it's really not helping things down in New Orleans. The federal government's broke, states are cutting costs, and local government is practically bankrupt. But even in tough times, there is one place where business always seems to be good and money's always flowing: the movie industry. Maybe New Orleans should look to Hollywood as a means to recovery. It has the money, it has the incentive, and it's proven that it actually has the power to make it happen.

February 8, 2009 - Nate Berg

The Movie Star and the Power of Architecture

Actor Brad Pitt's efforts to rebuild housing in New Orleans are not just flashy PR, but rather a reminder that architecture can make a difference, according to this article from Metropolis.

March 20, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.