The Urban Conservancy News Roundup

Gentrification flap rooted in an older debate over New Orleans 'exceptionalism' Opinion

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:26:47 -0600

The rapid demographic changes in some of New Orleans’ older neighborhoods have sparked consternation among locals as well as professional observers of the city.

Track Coverage of the BP Oil Spill Trial

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:44:32 -0600

Track coverage of the BP Oil Spill Trial.

Going with the Flow

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:21:34 -0600

American politicians, including those who argued to cut back on money for preventive measures after Sandy, might want to see how the Dutch have managed to improve public life, public space and the landscape at a fraction of the billions American taxpayers pay out for repairing hurricane damage.

New Orleans Needs New Approach to Water Management

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:11:01 -0600

Major projects, some financed with federal dollars, are expanding the drainage system’s capacity to funnel even greater volumes at faster rates out of populated areas. This is an antiquated approach to water management, Becker and Waggonner argued. It lowers the water table, dries out the soil and causes the city to sink further into the swamp. Such subsidence cracks roads; upsets foundations.

Federal appeals court in New Orleans hands rare win to environmental group in BP oil spill case

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:42:16 -0600

“It’s a very important victory that BP could be finally forced to publicly disclose all the toxic components it spilled into the waters, but we’re disappointed by the dismissal of our Clean Water Act claims,” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans director for the center.

Pilot program aims to reduce the unintentional bycatch of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:55:26 -0600

“Bluefin is the poster child of bad fisheries management,” said Tom Wheatley, manager of the Pew Environment Group’s Gulf Surface Longline Campaign.

Seville's Lesson to World: How to Become Bike Friendly

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 07:15:38 -0600

Seville’s transportation revolution goes beyond being bike friendly; horse carts, segways, 3- and 4- person pedicabs, streetcars and buses are also alternative modes of tranportation. This transformation didn’t happen without massive public input and infrastructural investment.

Zen and the Art of Messy Urbanism

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:13:03 -0600

It’s very important to not be too structured in our thinking about soft infrastructure. There is a temptation to revert to thinking in silos, and assume that city communities can be segmented into areas of separate concern such as neighbourhoods, sectors such as “digital entrepreneurs”, or service user communities such as “commuters”. To do this is to forget where and how innovation and the creation of new value often occurs.

Program to move homes from LSU-VA hospital site, rehab them, remains in disarray

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:31:38 -0600

More than two years ago, Mayor Mitch Landrieu stood on the future site of the Veterans Affairs medical complex in Mid-City and announced an unprecedented plan; the city, with the help of the national nonprofit Builders of Hope, would move up to 100 historic houses in the hospital’s footprint to lots around the city, where they would be rehabbed and sold.

Black Friday: Bridging the Gap Between What Consumers Say and Do

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 05:46:30 -0600

Of those surveyed, 66% agreed that as a society we need to consume a lot less to improve the environment for future generations, and 65% agreed that they feel a sense of responsibility to purchase products that are good for the environment and society.

HANO Negotiating to Purchase Israel Augustine Middle School, Redevelop It into Youth Career Center

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:53:09 -0600

Occupy Wall Street Launches 'Rolling Jubilee' to Buy Up and Forgive Debt

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:18:14 -0600

While purchasers of debt usually hound debtors in order to make a return on their investment, Occupy plans to simply abolish the debt for the lucky individuals whose accounts they grab.

It's Global Warming, Stupid

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 13:04:12 -0600

In his book The Conundrum, David Owen, a staff writer at the New Yorker, contends that as long as the West places high and unquestioning value on economic growth and consumer gratification—with China and the rest of the developing world right behind—we will continue to burn the fossil fuels whose emissions trap heat in the atmosphere.

Breaking: Portland Sustainability Chief Admits 'Portlandia' Isn't Really a Parody

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:38:42 -0600

“[Sustainability] doesn’t happen by chance,” she says. “There’s all the stuff that some people think of as the mundane side of city planning. But it’s the bones, the framework for allowing so much of this stuff to happen,” she says.

Relocated House Reviewed for Razing

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:44:51 -0600

NEW ORLEANS — A second house moved to make way for a massive hospital complex in Lower Mid-City is being considered for demolition after standing open to the elements for months.