The images of residents gathered on rooftops to escape flood waters are indelible 10 years after Hurricane Katrina buffeted New Orleans. In the years since, the city has moved ahead with resilience strategies that may become a model for other communities.
The Louisiana Audubon and a coalition of other environmental groups recently released a report on what has been done and where more needs to be invested to prepare the area for the next big storm. More than $14 billion went towards rebuilding the levees and other flood protections and the result has been called "best flood control system of any coastal community."
The formation of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and the creation of a state coastal master plan have led to a long-term approach to achieving a sustainable coast. The plan, to be updated every five years, focuses on coastal protection and restoration projects.
Other resiliency efforts include raising individual houses out of the flood plain and educating the public about storm safety and response. For example, Terrebonne Parish won funding through Federal Emergency Management Agency grants and state programs to raise more than 1,000 homes.
Related Stories
| Jan 30, 2012
ZigBee and ISO 50001: Two new standards to make buildings greener
These developments demonstrate the dynamic nature of the market and the continued need for development of program standards of many different types that help builders and owners translate high performance and sustainable buildings goals into practical measures on the ground.
| Jan 30, 2012
New firm-fixed-price rules on federal contracts impact construction industry
Contractors will need to be on the lookout for policies such as the Contractor Accountability for Quality clause.
| Jan 30, 2012
Roofer’s fatal plunge demonstrates need for fall-prevention regulations
“The biggest problem is getting our workers to use the equipment,” says Michael J. Florio, executive director of the organization.
| Jan 26, 2012
Tampa moves to streamlined online permitting system
The system will replace an inefficient patchwork of old software and is designed to provide businesses, homeowners, and contractors with online access to permitting and licensing information.
| Jan 26, 2012
EPA to collect more data, seek comments before finalizing mud rule
The EPA says it will seek more data and is accepting comments until March 5.
| Jan 26, 2012
Industry challenges Connecticut's suit over defective construction work
The dispute arose over multimillion-dollar leaks at the University of Connecticut's law library.
| Jan 26, 2012
Earthquake 'fuse' could save buildings during temblors
The idea is to use an earthquake "fuse" that can prevent the tiny fractures and warps that make structures unsafe after a quake and very expensive to repair.
| Jan 26, 2012
HPD open materials standard for green building materials gains momentum
GreenWizard, provider of a cloud-based product management and project collaboration software, is the latest industry participant to sign on
| Jan 26, 2012
Siemens launches smoke detection knowledge center
New knowledge center web site demonstrates efficacy of smoke detection.
| Jan 18, 2012
Chile's seismic code upgrades credited with saving lives in 2010 quake
Since 1960, when Chile suffered a 9.5 magnitude quake, the largest ever recorded; the country has steadily improved building codes to protect lives and property.
