BATON ROUGE, LA – New research confirms that rising sea levels and worries over hurricanes and floods have prompted population shifts in coastal Louisiana, threatening one of the country’s most unique cultures.
A report issued by the Center for Planning Excellence finds that since hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, many residents in coastal parishes have moved farther inland, while one in four have considered moving out of state.
BATON ROUGE, LA – New research confirms that rising sea levels and worries over hurricanes and floods have prompted population shifts in coastal Louisiana, threatening one of the country’s most unique cultures.
A report issued by the Center for Planning Excellence finds that since hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, many residents in coastal parishes have moved farther inland, while one in four have considered moving out of state.
[text_ad]
The findings are part of “The View From the Coast,” a two-year study of planning policy in south Louisiana conducted with what its authors describe as an unprecedented level of detail aimed at better preparation for and recovery from disasters. The report tracks policy from the federal level down to local implementation, and incorporates numerous studies on human cultures, natural environments and other related data.
“We found that many people in Louisiana’s coastal communities are moving north, at least one town up,” says Camille Manning-Broome, CPEX senior vice president, who served as principal investigator and coauthor of the study. “Our research confirms that comprehensive relocation strategies are needed if coastal communities are to sustain their economic networks and culture.”
Manning-Broome says this level of planning will require coordination between state and local officials, homeowners, builders and many others. The report includes a comprehensive guide of best practices for coastal development policy, taking into account a wide array of scenarios. The guide focuses on strategies for local governments that support levee protection like elevating or flood-proofing homes, public education and more.
“The View From the Coast” follows two years of interviews with elected leaders and decision makers, as well as focus groups, surveys and other research. It was supported financially by the Walton Family Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the National Association of Realtors and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Manning-Broome’s coauthors are Jeannette Dubinin, also with CPEX, and Pam Jenkins, Ph.D., sociology professor at the University of New Orleans.
About the Center for Planning Excellence
The Center for Planning Excellence is a nonprofit organization that coordinates urban, rural and regional planning efforts in Louisiana. We provide best-practice planning models, innovative policy ideas and technical assistance to individual communities that wish to create and enact master plans dealing with transportation and infrastructure needs, environmental issues and quality design for the built environment. More information is available at
cpex.org.
The findings are part of “The View From the Coast,” a two-year study of planning policy in south Louisiana conducted with what its authors describe as an unprecedented level of detail aimed at better preparation for and recovery from disasters. The report tracks policy from the federal level down to local implementation, and incorporates numerous studies on human cultures, natural environments and other related data.
“We found that many people in Louisiana’s coastal communities are moving north, at least one town up,” says Camille Manning-Broome, CPEX senior vice president, who served as principal investigator and coauthor of the study. “Our research confirms that comprehensive relocation strategies are needed if coastal communities are to sustain their economic networks and culture.”
Manning-Broome says this level of planning will require coordination between state and local officials, homeowners, builders and many others. The report includes a comprehensive guide of best practices for coastal development policy, taking into account a wide array of scenarios. The guide focuses on strategies for local governments that support levee protection like elevating or flood-proofing homes, public education and more.
“The View From the Coast” follows two years of interviews with elected leaders and decision makers, as well as focus groups, surveys and other research. It was supported financially by the Walton Family Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the National Association of Realtors and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Manning-Broome’s coauthors are Jeannette Dubinin, also with CPEX, and Pam Jenkins, Ph.D., sociology professor at the University of New Orleans.
About the Center for Planning Excellence
The Center for Planning Excellence is a nonprofit organization that coordinates urban, rural and regional planning efforts in Louisiana. We provide best-practice planning models, innovative policy ideas and technical assistance to individual communities that wish to create and enact master plans dealing with transportation and infrastructure needs, environmental issues and quality design for the built environment. More information is available at cpex.org.
