Imagine a walk down a street on a scorching hot, Louisiana summer day. The sun beats down relentlessly. The pavement is a sizzling griddle. The air is a suffocating wave of heat. Miserable, right? But now, picture that same street lined with towering, leafy trees. Their shade becomes an oasis that cools the air and offers relief from the sun’s heat. The world feels fresher, quieter, almost as if nature itself is exhaling. That’s the quiet power of trees, which provide comfort, protection, and fresh air in a world that desperately needs it. As a tree hugger, as some call people like myself, I’m a strong advocate for maintaining and creating green spaces in all communities. I truly care for the environment and believe everyone should reap the benefits that trees give. However, they, too, feel the effects of the increasing temperatures as everyone and everything else. We need to understand the nature and function of trees as well as how to help them through extreme weather. Trees do so much more than add beauty to our neighborhoods, parks, and streetscapes. They also provide the following benefits. Clean the air. Trees absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, making the air we breathe healthier. Support wildlife. Birds, insects, and small mammals rely on trees for food and shelter, keeping ecosystems balanced. Prevent floods. Tree roots help absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and minimizing the risk of floods and soil erosion. Boost our well-being. Studies show that being around trees lowers stress levels, improves mood, and even enhances concentration. Provide shade. Their canopies act like umbrellas, which block direct sunlight and prevent heat from accumulating on roads, sidewalks, and buildings. Keep us cool. This one is essential for people and animals. The moisture that trees release into the air through transpiration (water released into the atmosphere) creates a natural cooling effect. Tree shade can reduce city temperatures by up to 10°F. This is because the tree cover reduces the heat island effect, a phenomenon when roads, buildings, and other infrastructure absorb heat and release it back into the environment. In neighborhoods and urban areas with more trees, people and animals experience fewer heat-related illnesses. Just like people, trees also endure the effects of climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, trees are struggling to survive in many areas. Prolonged heat waves, droughts, and changing weather patterns weaken them, which makes them more vulnerable to disease and pests. In urban settings, where trees are already stressed by pollution and limited space, the impact is even greater. Every species of tree thrives within a certain range of temperatures. If that threshold is crossed, the tree’s ability to function and survive is compromised. Too much heat for extended periods can cause excessive transpiration, leading to a loss of water within the plant, which can lead to the death of the tree. If a tree experiences heat stress, it will show symptoms that include drooping branches, browning leaf tips, small or unusually shaped leaves, or even dieback of branches. Heat stress can cause trees to lose water faster than they can absorb it. Another way a tree can be stressed, especially in urban areas, is through heat loading. This is when the tree’s internal temperature rises from absorbing too much energy from sunlight, hot air, and reflected heat from pavement and buildings. Because of rising temperatures and other environmental factors, such as droughts, the survival of certain tree species in some areas is threatened. Some species that were planted ten years ago are now migrating north, and may not be the same species that should be planted in the same area today. However, some trees will remain resilient through climate change, but guidance from local organizations like Baton Rouge Green, SOUL Nola, and your local forester can suggest alternative species for plantings if needed. For Louisiana, that means looking at species that grow farther south and west because those trees are adapted to live in more intense heat. As Louisiana and the world get warmer, we have to provide our communities with trees and shade structures for our comfort and health. We need to prepare for environmental changes and be more mindful about what species of trees we plant so that they can thrive and offer their benefits to people, animals, and the land itself. The Center for Planning Excellence is currently developing a Tree Canopy Cultivation Guide that will be a resource for local government elected officials and staff, community-based organizations, individuals, and anyone interested in cultivating tree canopies. The guide will: provide information on the importance of trees in creating an environment of health and well-being, foster discussions on the present condition of urban forests and strategies for enhancing and sustaining tree canopy coverage, drive the inclusion of tree canopy in infrastructure planning and management at the community level, and empower communities with information, policies, and best practices for equitable cultivation of tree canopy coverage. The resource will be tailored to specifically address Louisiana’s environmental conditions and risks, geography, planting zones, sociopolitical circumstances, and demographics. Guide users will learn in detail about the benefits of trees and how to increase a community’s green space. Relevant topics will include urban heat islands, public health, and placemaking. A section on extreme heat will cover the challenges of this health and safety concern and provide best practices and techniques to address them. The guide will have maintenance and funding information available as well. Be on the lookout for it! Planting a tree is an act of hope and a commitment to a future where streets are cooler, air is cleaner, and communities are healthier. As we plan for a hotter Louisiana, we can take steps now to ensure that the trees we plant today will thrive for generations to come, offering shade, beauty, and resilience in the face of change.

My Louisiana childhood memories of early summer lead me back to downtown Abbeville, where koi swam in the pond in the old courthouse’s shadow, and Magdalen Square transformed into a resplendent garden for the annual Daylily Festival. As a child, my parents took my sister and me to visit the fish before taking us to dinner at Shuck’s to celebrate good report cards. Every spring, my grandmother “Honey” whisked me off to the Daylily festival. We walked among the booths until I carefully chose a flower to plant in Honey’s garden. Every year, that garden grew a little brighter, with each memory we planted. Now, the daylilies outnumber the koi that have long since disappeared from the courthouse pond. My parents told me they’d been moved to a “better” pond, but I have a hunch they didn’t make it through Hurricane Rita. Every time I visit my hometown, I see the daylilies we planted in her garden growing stronger, reminding me of my roots anchored in Abbeville and the family who make it feel like home. These formative memories all have one thing in common: scenic downtown Abbeville – it isn’t just close to my heart; it’s part of who I am. I’ve been a CPEX team member for nearly 3 years, and when we began working with Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, I jumped on the opportunity to get involved with the project. In 2023, Mayor White attended the Walk Action Institute in Baton Rouge and came back with a vision: a traffic-calming and walkability demonstration that could breathe new life into the heart of our city. As our planning team worked with the mayor and her staff to develop the project schematics, I grew more and more excited. I finally had the chance to give back to my hometown—to be part of a project that could make Abbeville safer, more vibrant, and even more of a gathering place for people to make their own memories. The demonstration project required months of planning and close collaboration with Mayor White’s team, the city’s Department of Public Works, and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. For two intense days in December 2023, CPEX staff and city employees measured, painted, and chalked out lines across downtown. The final product? A half-mile bike lane, optimized back-in angle parking, 19 curb extensions, 21 crosswalks, and a pedestrian plaza right in front of the courthouse—all given a stamp of approval by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. In the months that followed, residents moved through the city with these new options for walking and biking and improvements. New clearly marked crosswalks and cone-lined curb extensions improved pedestrian safety, while a barrier-enclosed bike lane, the first of its kind downtown, guided cyclists more securely into the heart of the city. Residents had time to see what worked for them and to provide real-time, informed feedback based on their actual experience of the temporary installation. Demonstration projects create powerful opportunities for meaningful community engagement that drive positive change. When you meet people where they are and invite them into the process, they’re more than willing to tell you what they think—and that’s where the real insights come from. Through online surveys, word of mouth, and plenty of Facebook comments, we learned the back-in angled parking didn’t win everyone over, but they did like the traffic calming, bollards, pedestrian plaza, and extended curbs. Thanks to the city’s determination and the community’s active engagement, Abbeville seized the opportunity presented by the state road transfer to implement these traffic-calming and walkability improvements in under a year. For those familiar with municipal construction timelines, this represents a near-record speed and a remarkable achievement. Now, this area is a brick-paved pedestrian plaza, as outlined in our initial meetings, and hosts musical performances, festivals, and ribbon cuttings. Visitors and residents alike can safely enjoy downtown, guided by clearly marked crosswalks, including one that proudly spells out the name of my favorite place in the world: ‘ABBEVILLE.’ This project felt like more than a city planning demonstration; it was a tribute to the small town that shaped me, an effort to make sure it would be just as special for future generations. I can only imagine what these changes mean to the people who live, work, and—most importantly—eat downtown every day. I am eternally grateful to CPEX and Mayor White for one more wonderful memory of Abbeville: working alongside my coworkers and friends to build a safer, more vibrant downtown. I commend the residents for their willingness to experience something new and embrace change for the future of the community. You’ve made me immensely proud to be from the beautiful City of Abbeville.

In September, the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) led a study tour in Germany, gathering two cohorts of Louisiana’s business, energy, and policy leaders for a deep dive into Germany’s offshore wind industry. Over the course of four days, our Louisiana delegation explored one of the world’s most innovative renewable energy ecosystems, experiencing firsthand the technology, safety, and policy frameworks driving Germany’s success in offshore wind. Key Takeaways: A Vision of What’s Possible for Louisiana The Louisiana-Germany Offshore Wind Connections Study Tour, held September 23-26, 2024, in Berlin and Hamburg, provided a transformative perspective on what Louisiana and the United States could achieve by tapping into offshore wind. It was clear to all of us who participated that the potential for offshore wind in Louisiana is immense—not only as a renewable energy source but as a catalyst for economic diversification, job creation, and environmental resilience. Throughout the trip, we engaged in rich learning experiences beginning with safety and technical training at RelyOn Nutec, where participants saw firsthand the standards that ensure offshore wind workers are prepared for the physical and technical demands of the industry. This hands-on experience underscored the importance of a strong workforce equipped with the skills necessary to meet the demands of offshore wind development. Our visit to the Fraunhofer Institute gave us an up-close look at cutting-edge research in wind energy systems and hydrogen integration. Germany’s advancements in these areas reveal pathways Louisiana could take to lead in renewable energy innovation, potentially harnessing offshore wind to produce green hydrogen and further diversify our energy economy. The 2024 WindEnergy Hamburg Expo was a particularly impactful experience. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis had the opportunity to speak on the “Offshore Wind in the United States” panel. Commissioner Lewis highlighted Louisiana’s readiness to contribute to and benefit from the global supply chain for renewable energy. The Expo demonstrated the scale of global investment in this industry available to Louisiana, should we choose to take advantage of it. Why Trips Like This Matter: Building Momentum for Offshore Wind in Louisiana Study tours like this one are essential for aligning our state’s leaders on the vision and steps required to advance offshore wind energy in Louisiana. Meeting with organizations like Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, our delegation could understand the importance of streamlined permitting and stable regulatory frameworks—crucial components for investor confidence and successful offshore wind projects. This tour also highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in supporting offshore wind. The Helwin WindPark tour and the Port of Hamburg visit demonstrated the complex logistics and facilities that underpin Germany’s wind industry. For Louisiana, developing similar infrastructure will be key to fully realizing the potential of our offshore wind resources. Our state has a natural advantage due to its deep-water ports and expertise in maritime industries. By adapting and building on this foundation, Louisiana can become a leader in offshore wind. Opportunities Ahead: Louisiana’s Path to a Resilient Future Offshore wind represents a historic opportunity for Louisiana to diversify its energy economy, create high-quality jobs, and ensure a resilient future. Our visit to Germany has armed us with insights and inspiration to shape policies that promote sustainable energy growth and economic diversification. With support from the state’s leadership, local officials, and private-sector partners, we are now better equipped than ever to lead Louisiana into a new era of renewable energy. We can foster an environment where businesses, communities, and policymakers collaborate to make offshore wind a cornerstone of Louisiana’s energy portfolio. In the coming months, CPEX will be working with our partners across the state to turn these learnings into actionable strategies. This work will not be easy. Despite Louisiana’s strong potential—our workforce readiness, established maritime industry, and abundant natural resources—offshore wind development cannot advance without policies that provide predictability and support market development. Unlocking this opportunity requires a clear route to market through a renewable energy standard and streamlined, transparent permitting processes. Louisiana now stands at a pivotal moment: decisive policy action will determine whether offshore wind can become a reality, positioning our state for a resilient and prosperous future. As we continue to engage our communities, leaders, and stakeholders, we look forward to building on the momentum of this study tour, laying the groundwork for a sustainable future for Louisiana and generations to come. PowerUp Louisiana is a platform created by The Center for Planning Excellence where government officials, state legislators, experts and stakeholders, nonprofit organizations, and coalitions come together to advance discussions on clean energy opportunities for Louisiana through informed policy and decision making. Learn more at www.cpex.org/powerup

One of the early lessons I learned about policy work is that battles are fought in theory first. Policy experts have to piece together historical data, look for patterns, imagine what could happen in the future, and develop recommendations to solve real-world problems. The policy work I do at CPEX – planning for initiatives and platforms that power up Louisiana with access to clean energy resources – requires a high level of tenacity. I have to constantly update and revise my knowledge base as new research and technology emerges in the field. At the same time, great policy is only created through people power, so thought revision occurs while engaging with various community leaders and stakeholders who have diverse perspectives and interests. As a policy expert on clean energy resources such as wind and solar, I’m more comfortable thinking through complexity and sharing my ideas via the written word. However, my work at CPEX requires me to present at meetings, conferences, and various other forums. That would be fine – if I did not have a lifelong fear of public speaking. Every time I’m in front of an audience, I feel overwhelmed with shaky nerves and even shakier knees. Surprising as it may be, I’m better prepared to do policy work and speak in public because of video games. In a video game, the levels a player can reach are based upon experience. There are different quests and side missions to learn more about that world and its characters. Video games are immersive models for learning how to craft a narrative. As a gamer, I can visualize the pathway of a story, deploy a strategy, and adapt gameplay to figure out the best way to move the story forward. This adaptability to shift a narrative and modify strategy is critical to operating effectively as a policy expert in burgeoning fields such as offshore wind. I am able to describe new and evolving concepts to interested parties by keeping the larger narrative in mind. Also, as a gamer, I know how essential cooperative play and team-building are in advancing any policy that can help our state prosper. However, in many games, a player does confront a “boss,” which is an  opponent character who is stronger and more skilled than the game player. A player can’t reach a new level until they win a “boss battle.”  Boss battles are encounters that test your abilities in a challenging way. A boss is a worthy adversary, and to defeat the boss, a player has to educate oneself on the mechanics of the fight. It may take many attempts, so a player should be prepared to replay a fight over and over again to learn all aspects of the encounter before the boss meets their demise. This idea of educating oneself and running an idea through many scenarios is something I am deeply familiar with as a policymaker. In both policy and planning, stakeholders need to consider all potential and cumulative impacts of a proposed solution to an issue. Just like a game player, a policymaker will study and reflect on past encounters and research and engage with other experts to consider new approaches to future issues. The only way to level up is to develop a skill set with new knowledge, understanding, and experience to deliver on and implement policy pathways that will support your community. To continue with the video game analogy, every great character has an origin story and an arc toward victory. My fear of public speaking may have originated from the fact I didn’t speak until I was about three and a half years old. I had a speech impediment that required therapy until I was a teenager. Whenever I was in a situation where I had to speak, the words came out in a jumbled mess. It hindered others from seeing my potential. Just like I’ve done as a video game player, I pushed myself into situations to learn new skills. I did community theater, church scripture reading, and summer camp counseling. As I have developed this skill set, I added new missions for myself such as public speaking competitions through extracurriculars, and even becoming a panelist at a summit or conference. I still have my own boss battles when I’m in front of an audience, but I level up every time. Before long, I might be ready to give a PechaKucha presentation at our next Smart Growth Summit. Video games can teach valuable skills that can be applied in real life. If you’d like to explore in a virtual environment the kinds of planning and policy work that CPEX does, here are four video games to challenge your creativity and cultivate your perception of urban planning and policy concepts. Cities: Skylines is a fantastic city building game. Imagine if you could design your dream city, and up to a million residents could successfully inhabit it! A player can design a detailed city from the ground up. Your city design can include traffic systems, road placement, taxation, public services, and even district policies and zoning. Democracy 3 allows you to become the president of your own country. You introduce policies, adjust government funding and taxation, and win the support of various voters. Each policy you introduce impacts your voter base and affects factors like crime or air quality, and during every turn, situations and dilemmas arise that require you to act on behalf of your country, for better or worse. SimCity remains a classic in city planning. It introduces mechanics like regional play and shared resources, allowing players to plan not just a city, but an interconnected region. In Banished, players build and sustain a small, isolated community. The game emphasizes resource management, survival, and long-term planning, offering a unique challenge to city planners who enjoy managing scarce resources. Just as video games have taught me the importance of perseverance, strategy, and leveling up, they’ve also provided a unique lens through which I view my professional and personal development as a policy maker and public speaker. With each new challenge, I have an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether it’s designing a city in Cities: Skylines or crafting policies that shape real communities, the principles of strategic thinking and resilience remain the same. As I push forward in my career at CPEX, I am not just battling fears—I’m building a narrative of progress, one quest at a time.

In the summer of 2016, my pregnant wife and I found ourselves in a terrifying situation. While test driving a Subaru Outback, a car seemingly appeared out of nowhere and T-boned us. All airbags deployed, and the vehicles collided in a shower of glass and plastic. Miraculously, everyone, including our unborn baby, was unharmed. The next day, we learned that our insurance would cover the cost of the dealership’s car, sparing us financial strain just as we were about to welcome a new family member. Despite our relief, the incident left us shaken. The streets were empty that evening, and we knew our Capital Heights neighborhood well. Both of us recalled seeing no cars when we pulled out of the shopping center and turned left across the two opposing lanes onto Jefferson Highway at the intersection with Capital Heights Ave. What went wrong? A year later, a headline caught my eye: “Motorcyclist Killed on South Foster.” South Foster Drive runs parallel to Jefferson Highway and has the same blind dogleg of a turn near Capital Heights Avenue. It seemed likely that, just like in our accident, the motorcyclist had been unable to see the danger in time. These intersections were notoriously dangerous. In 2015, the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) collected feedback from area residents on what they loved about their neighborhood and what needed change. Large maps set up at a local church’s multi-use room were dotted with red markers where Capital Heights Avenue intersects with South Foster Drive and Jefferson Highway, accompanied by comments like “dangerous to walk across,” “can’t cross with a stroller,” and “feels like playing Frogger in real life.” Gabby Loubiere, a local business owner, highlighted the community’s concern: “I’ve had Brew Ha-Ha for 20 years…the most common request I get is for a crosswalk. It is such a dangerous street.” The need for safer crossings was clear. Using the community input they collected, CPEX developed the Street Smart Neighborhood Connectivity Plan, recommending safety enhancements for the two intersections, including High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) beacons to stop traffic for pedestrians and cyclists. Residents and businesses were thrilled at the prospect of safer streets. Yet, almost a decade later, the intersections remain unchanged. Why? Primarily due to funding shortages and the slow attrition of focus in community-led projects. In 2016, our neighborhood association presented the plan to local officials and received positive feedback, but were reminded of the high costs—over $100,000 per beacon. Discouraged, we shifted our focus to other projects like enhanced street striping and new sidewalks. Despite the stall, there is hope. The 2024 General Meeting of the Capital Heights Neighborhood Association saw robust support for the HAWK beacons. The Capital Heights Crime Prevention and Improvement District has even budgeted funds for neighborhood improvements, prioritizing the beacons. District Commissioner Matt Callac emphasized that adding a HAWK beacon at Capital Heights and South Foster would create a permanent safe crossing to connect the two halves of the neighborhood. Echoing this sentiment, Harry Schexnayder, President of the Capital Heights Neighborhood Association, highlighted that signaled crossings at these intersections would provide essential safety and comfort for walkers and bikers. Support from the mayor’s office and Baton Rouge’s Director of Transportation, along with potential funding from the MoveBR plan, has further invigorated efforts. Support from local stakeholders was loud and clear: Mark Martin, Chair of the city/parish Complete Streets Citizen Advisory Committee, noted that HAWK signals at these locations would significantly enhance safety and encourage more people to ride bicycles. Local stakeholders also back the project, with Amber Heard, President of the Mid City Merchants Association, stating that these safety enhancements prioritize community well-being and foster a thriving business environment. Dustin LaFont, Executive Director of Front Yard Bikes, added that safer infrastructure increases access and alleviates barriers to opportunity. Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm for this project and the technical justification provided by the Street Smart plan, there’s no guarantee that Capital Heights will get our H.A.W.K. beacons or other meaningful safety enhancements at these intersections without buy-in from local leaders and significant dedicated funding. As with any plan, local champions are needed to make the vision a reality. However, once-again, our neighborhood is re-engaged! Post-Covid, many lamented the loss of community as once-thriving events and groups struggled to come back. People moved in and out of our neighborhood, and the collective memory of our past activism for improving our community began to fade. Yet, the need to safely cross Jefferson Highway and South Foster Drive kept the Street Smart plan alive. Nearly ten years after the development of the Street Smart Neighborhood Connectivity Plan, two supporters brought up the crosswalks at a meeting of eight residents. This led to a general neighborhood meeting that reignited enthusiasm among attendees. Cooperative endeavor agreements were signed between neighborhood boards, and proposals were made to receptive city leaders. As of this publication, engineering firms are being asked to submit design proposals, and potential funding has been identified, pending final approval. We’re committed to seeing this through. I look forward to a day in the not-too-distant future when I can safely cross the street with my wife and our daughter, heading to Brew Ha-Ha for coffee and cakeballs, enjoying the safe, vibrant, and connected neighborhood we’ve worked so hard to improve. Thank you to the Center for Planning Excellence for inspiring and guiding our efforts with the Street Smart Neighborhood Connectivity Plan. Their professional and collaborative work continues to lead vital projects for our state. I am a proud CPEX supporter, and if you would like to support CPEX or learn more about their work, visit www.cpex.org. Written by: Tyler Hicks, President at Snakebite Consulting & Capital Heights resident

All my life, I’ve loved sci-fi movies. Call me nerdy, but these movies are more than just entertainment; they are portals to other worlds, where the boundaries of reality are blurred and the impossible becomes possible. Amidst the starships and extraterrestrial encounters, there was one element that I found especially captivating–artificial intelligence (AI). From the endearing R2-D2 of Star Wars to the self-aware computer system, HAL 9000, in 2001: A Space Odyssey, these fictional depictions seemed like distant fantasies—products of someone’s wild imagination. But with recent advancements in AI technology, this once-distant dream confined to the silver screen is now a force driving innovation and an increasingly integral part of how we work, communicate, and plan for the future. As a member of the CPEX team, I continue to be fascinated by current advancements in AI, especially in regards to community planning. Join me as I dive headfirst into the world of AI and community planning, highlighting the fascinating (and sometimes slightly spooky) capabilities of AI and its role in shaping the communities of tomorrow. What is AI? IBM defines AI as “technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities.” These tasks include learning from experience, recognizing patterns, understanding natural language, and making decisions. AI systems can range from simple rule-based algorithms to sophisticated machine-learning models that evolve and adapt over time. AI is revolutionizing various fields, from healthcare and finance to transportation and manufacturing. Current uses include predictive analytics for disease diagnosis, algorithmic trading in financial markets, autonomous vehicles for transportation, and robotic automation in manufacturing processes. Some of AI’s most promising features will help people increase their efficiency, improve decision making, enhance productivity, and address complex problems at scale. However, legitimate concerns about this technology’s ethical implications include issues of bias in algorithms, job displacement due to automation, threats to privacy and security, and misuse of AI for malicious purposes. As AI continues to advance, striking a balance between harnessing its potential for societal benefit while mitigating its risks remains a critical challenge. AI + Community Planning AI’s use in community planning efforts has reached into areas such as transportation, development, and environmental management. The data and analysis provided can show planners, elected officials, and scholars how to optimize traffic flow, anticipate demographic shifts, and identify areas prone to natural disasters. With this information, people can streamline decision-making processes and enhance the efficiency of resource allocation—offering planners powerful tools to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Here are more details on ways AI can be used in planning. Data Analysis and Predictive Modeling: AI algorithms can quickly process vast datasets to identify patterns and trends, helping planners make data-driven decisions. For instance, in urban planning, AI algorithms can swiftly analyze traffic patterns from extensive datasets, enabling city officials to optimize transportation routes and reduce congestion. Predictive modeling can enable planners to anticipate future challenges, such as population growth, traffic patterns, and environmental changes. For instance, by analyzing historical data and employing predictive algorithms, planners can estimate the demand for public transportation and allocate resources accordingly to accommodate future needs. Community Engagement: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can facilitate more efficient and inclusive community engagement by providing information and gathering feedback. Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms can process and interpret text data from surveys, social media, and online forums to extract insights and identify common themes, helping planners make data-driven decisions that reflect community preferences and priorities. Optimizing Infrastructure: Data processed through AI can be used to optimize traffic flow, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the efficiency of public services. Smart city initiatives can leverage AI capabilities to monitor and manage infrastructure, improving overall sustainability and resilience. How Other Cities are Using AI  Tuscaloosa, AL The City of Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama developed an AI-based technology that processes photos captured by cameras mounted on the city’s garbage trucks. The university states that the system can identify nuisances such as overgrown grass, abandoned vehicles, litter, illegal parking, and appliances or furniture left outside. A scoring system is used to indicate issues that must be addressed, and the photo, along with instructions on what must be remedied, is sent to the property owner. Boulder County, CO Boulder County is employing new technology meant to help first responders detect fires faster. The new partnership with Pano AI — the first of its kind in Boulder County —  uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence to help spot fires, check fuel conditions, and zero in on a specific location. San Jose, CA Measuring how the community uses facilities is important for the equitable delivery and maintenance of parks, public spaces, and recreational areas. The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department (PRNS) of San José is using anonymized foot traffic data to understand where and when people access recreational amenities. The PRNS staff is aware that quality parks are not available in many neighborhoods because of historical disinvestment in some areas as well as systemic and institutionalized racial exclusion. Using this collected data can help the city determine where there is a greater need for new, improved, and safer facilities for equitable resource allocation. Boston, MA Boston has employed AI to address parking challenges. Smart parking solutions utilize sensors and AI algorithms to provide real-time information on parking space availability. This not only reduces traffic congestion caused by drivers searching for parking but also enhances the overall parking experience for residents and visitors. San Diego, CA San Diego is using AI to improve water management and conservation efforts. The city employs machine-learning algorithms to analyze data from sensors placed throughout the water distribution system. This helps identify leaks, predict maintenance needs, and optimize water usage, contributing to a more sustainable water infrastructure. Looking Ahead The future of AI in community planning holds immense promise. As technology continues to evolve, here are some trends to watch. Augmented Decision-Making: AI technology will play a pivotal role in assisting planners with complex decision-making processes, providing insights based on vast amounts of data. For instance, AI could analyze demographic trends, traffic patterns, and environmental data to recommend optimal locations for new community facilities such as schools or parks. This augmented decision-making process could save time, reduce human bias, and enhance the likelihood of creating sustainable and inclusive communities. Personalized Experiences: AI-driven systems will enable the creation of personalized urban experiences, tailoring services and amenities to the unique needs and preferences of residents. For instance, AI algorithms could optimize public transportation schedules and routes based on real-time usage data and individual preferences, ensuring efficient and convenient travel experiences for residents. Furthermore, AI-powered virtual assistants could provide personalized recommendations for local events, activities, and services, enhancing community engagement and satisfaction. Sustainable Development: Using AI-enhanced analysis, community planners and others will have information to optimize resource use, reduce environmental impact, and promote eco-friendly practices, contributing to more sustainable and resilient communities. As AI systems become more common and sophisticated, the technology can help planners navigate the complexities of community planning with greater precision, foresight, and efficiency. The future of AI can support development of vibrant, resilient, and more livable communities for generations to come as this innovation becomes integrated with human creativity, integrity, and expertise. If you’re interested in learning more about AI’s potential in community planning, we invite you to join us at the 2024 Louisiana Smart Growth Summit, April 25-26, at the Manship Theatre in downtown Baton Rouge. The Summit will provide opportunities to engage with experts, participate in thought-provoking sessions, and explore innovative solutions for smart growth. You don’t want to miss the chance to be part of these transformative conversations. Register today and broaden your perspective on AI and other crucial topics shaping our collective future.

As solar power emerges as the fastest-growing energy source in Louisiana, it presents both opportunities and challenges for local communities. Because Louisiana has a variety of rural, suburban, and urban areas, it’s critical that local governments tailor their regulations and policies to meet the specific needs, goals, and preferences of their communities. Sustainable development does not happen accidentally – it requires thoughtful  planning in coordination with industry experts, local leaders, residents, and other stakeholders. For most residents, the most familiar form of capturing solar energy is rooftop solar, which is an individual solar system installed directly onto your roof that provides power directly to your home. However, there are instances where homeowners, renters, or businesses cannot install solar directly at their property or they are seeking avenues to use solar without purchasing their own rooftop system. In these cases, there lies potential to still utilize solar energy at various scales dependent upon the needs of the resident, community, or even industry. To better understand the potential of solar energy to help Louisiana achieve a sustainable future, it’s important to know that there are three different scales of solar energy production: utility scale, community solar, and microgrids. Microgrids The smallest scale, microgrids, also known as distributed solar systems, are decentralized energy networks that operate to serve individual homes, businesses, or local communities. As distributed electrical systems, microgrids can disconnect from the larger grid and operate autonomously to provide power in cases of outage or extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. A large microgrid can even be used to “blackstart” (restoring electric power for operation without relying on external transmission, like jumpstarting a car battery) a section of the larger power grid if the grid is forced to shut down in an adverse weather event. Excess electricity produced  by microgrids during peak solar hours can be fed back into the main grid, which ensures that no energy that is produced is wasted. This ability to switch between the island and connected modes delivers on both resiliency and reliability. From an economic development perspective, a microgrid offers a continuous, secure energy supply through periods of outage or congestion while increasing energy efficiency. This leads to lower energy costs. Site owners can leverage a microgrid’s energy resources and participate in the grid service market to pass along energy cost savings to tenants. Additionally, microgrid production and installation can create local jobs, which boosts productivity in local businesses and industries. In 2022, Entergy announced its plan to expand a program that would use microgrids to improve recovery from major storms in Louisiana. This is one example of how embracing microgrids can help Louisiana achieve energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and foster local economic development. Community Solar At the midrange is community solar. Community solar facilities are usually less than five megawatts (MW). Community solar is predominantly generated by solar panels at an off-site array that has capacity to serve  multiple customers, including individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other groups. Community solar can be either utility-based or community-based. Customers subscribe to the array. The energy generated by the array is sent directly to the grid, and the utility company or community-based organization distributes the electricity to its customers and gives the subscriber a credit for their share of the energy on their electric bill. Subscribers in some markets receive a monthly savings of 5%–15% on their electricity bill. Community solar is an option for people who are unable to install solar panels on their roofs because they are renters or do not have the resources to support or install solar panels, such as roof sizing, shading, or financial reasons. The Department of Energy has a target to power five million households with community solar by 2025, which would generate $1 billion in electricity bill savings. Other benefits of community solar include resilience during blackouts or adverse weather events, job creation within a community, economic growth, and support for local businesses. Opportunities for job growth and economic returns to communities are substantially higher for locally-owned energy projects. Community solar project development creates local jobs for planning, installation, and maintenance. Estimates show that on a national scale, growing local solar would result in the potential creation of 1.4 million jobs by 2050. This kind of energy development will stimulate local economies. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are 41 states, plus D.C., with at least one community solar project in operation, with 5.6 gigawatts installed cumulatively through 2022.  Estimates predict that within the next five years, the U.S. community solar market will grow with an additional 6 gigawatts of capacity. Utility-Scale Utility-scale solar projects are the largest installations, designed to generate significant amounts of solar energy for a broader region. These projects typically involve vast solar farms, often located on underutilized land. A notable example is the “West Baton Rouge Solar Facility,” which was developed by DEPCOM in 2020. This 74.5 megawatt installation produces enough electricity to power 7,991 homes in the Pelican State. Utility-scale solar grids in Louisiana play a pivotal role in meeting the state’s renewable energy goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As these large-scale installations can be combined with energy storage solutions like batteries, they enhance grid stability, ensuring a continuous supply of clean energy even during periods of low solar generation. The development of utility-scale solar strengthens Louisiana’s energy resilience and contributes to job creation, environmental preservation, and a sustainable future for the state. To help communities plan for developing solar energy in a way that is consistent with their needs and goals, the Center for Planning Excellence and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources have joined forces to develop a Model Solar Toolkit. The Toolkit provides policy guidance and key information to help communities make informed decisions about developing residential, community, and utility-scale solar installations. The Toolkit was developed with the input of diverse representatives from various sectors, including local government, energy, agriculture, housing, and environmental groups, ensuring a well-rounded approach to planning for solar energy in Louisiana that will aid local jurisdictions in preserving local character while fostering growth of sustainable energy choices. The Model Solar Toolkit is set to be released in early 2024.

Louisiana is no stranger to the wrath of Mother Nature – hurricanes, flooding, and coastal erosion have long plagued our communities, leaving us to adapt and rebuild time and time again. However, this past summer, Louisiana faced an unexpected and unprecedented threat: wildfires, fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, a high-pressure heat dome, and one of the most severe droughts in our recorded history. Wildfires have blazed across parts of the southern U.S. in recent months from Texas to Alabama, fueled by downed trees and plant debris left over from storms such as Laura, Delta, and Ida. In Louisiana, more than 60,000 acres burned across 17 parishes, forcing evacuations, destroying crops, and sending buildings up in smoke. It barely rained in the month of August, leading to a state-wide burn ban as first responders and the Louisiana National Guard struggled to contain the fires. The impacts to our agricultural sector in particular are devastating. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Louisiana’s economy and food security. The wildfires and droughts this summer caused widespread damage to crops and livestock and disrupted the livelihoods of countless farmers. These losses have far-reaching consequences, affecting the availability and affordability of food for our communities. In a regular year, our annual precipitation makes us one of the wettest states in the country – but in an era of climate change, it’s becoming clear that climate-amplified disasters will not be limited to the well-known culprits. A proactive, planning-based approach to ensure the well-being of our communities is more necessary than ever as we look back on an unusual summer and prepare for a changing future. The devastation in Beauregard Parish this summer hit especially close to home, as I watched news reports of nursing homes in DeRidder being forced to evacuate from the Tiger Island fire – the largest wildfire ever recorded in our state’s history. My parents still live in that area, and they were on my mind as they too stood ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. As life-long Louisiana residents, we have faced the prospect of weather-related disaster many times – but watching family members repeatedly weather Louisiana’s ongoing cycle of disaster and recovery gets harder every year. It’s not just my family, though; thousands of Louisiana families found themselves in similar situations, facing not only material losses, but also the profound mental health effects of the constant threat of disaster. As people across our state faced wildfires instead of hurricanes this summer, I thought about what “resilience” means for our friends, family and neighbors. Louisianians are rightly celebrated for their incredible resilience and ability to pull themselves and others through disaster events, but we can’t continue to subject our people to these traumas. We must recognize that true resilience involves adapting our infrastructure, practices, and policies to meaningfully mitigate the impacts of disaster so that individuals and communities do not have to endure hardship and loss time and time again. By implementing comprehensive disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies, we can reduce the physical, mental, and environmental stress that our communities endure. Louisiana’s unique vulnerability to climate-amplified disasters demands a proactive and planning-driven approach. This means investing in disaster-resistant infrastructure, implementing sustainable land use practices, and fostering community engagement and education on climate adaptation. It means developing strategies that safeguard not only our physical environment but also our mental well-being. It’s past time for us to move beyond the cycle of reacting to emergencies and accelerate our efforts to plan and prepare for a future that is increasingly uncertain. The City of Gonzales has taken a significant stride by becoming the second city in Louisiana to establish its own community-driven climate action plan. Gonzales is setting a commendable example and has embarked on this journey towards climate resilience, aiming to synchronize its endeavors with Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan. Their goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50% by 2030 and ultimately achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Gonzales is doing their part to ensure that their residents as well as our state are prepared for future climate impacts, and we look forward to seeing other communities follow their lead. Together, we can chart a path towards a more resilient Louisiana, where our traditions, culture, and way of life endure the test of time, regardless of the challenges that come our way. PHOTO FROM: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

“If you look to your left, there’s a pod of about 20 dolphins off the bow.” On a sunny day in July 2023, a group of Louisiana state legislators, representatives from state agencies, and individuals from Louisiana-based law firms, businesses, ports, and schools gathered on the deck of a chartered vessel just off the shore of Point Judith, Rhode Island. The scenery was breathtaking – but this was much more than sightseeing. This powerhouse group traveled 1,500 miles from their home state of Louisiana to tour Block Island, the nation’s first offshore wind farm. This moment marked the much-anticipated culmination of the Power of Wind Tour – an immersive, educational trip led by the Center for Planning Excellence to bring together bipartisan leaders and stakeholders to learn more about offshore wind and collaborate on Louisiana’s energy future. The Power of Wind Tour comes at a pivotal moment in energy development, as wind energy is quickly becoming one of the key industries for energy production in the US. The American Clean Power Association reports that wind energy is the largest source of renewable energy in the country, representing over 10% of the nation’s overall energy creation. Almost 25% of all US contracts in offshore wind are already going to businesses in Louisiana and other Gulf states – this is a strong foundation and there is ample room for additional growth here in Louisiana. “Wind isn’t just an environmental opportunity, it’s a massive economic opportunity,” remarked Lacy McManus of Future Energy, Greater New Orleans. Thanks to our coastal geography, existing infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, and 70 years of experience in offshore industry, Louisiana is poised to become a leading voice in the offshore wind industry through our manufacturing capabilities and workforce development capacity. In fact, Louisiana companies are already using technologies developed for oil and gas rigs to build the infrastructure needed to operate wind turbines – including the ones we toured in Rhode Island. Louisiana’s workforce is also helping to advance new wind projects in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts, providing surveyors, engineers, and shipbuilders. Key takeaways for Louisiana from the Power of Wind guest speakers, industry experts, and tour experience include: Louisiana needs to send a clear signal that we are ready to expand our energy economy with offshore wind by setting goals and policy that provides for enforceable standards and drives market operations. Port infrastructure and diversification plays a substantial role in all parts of the offshore wind supply chain. Expansion of our ports will be required to accommodate offshore wind infrastructure in the Gulf. Our existing energy infrastructure needs to be able to accept new sources of clean energy in a way that is reliable, cost-effective, and reduces impacts to communities.  We will need proactive planning for connecting underwater cabling from offshore wind installations to our onshore national electric grid. The needs and concerns of potentially impacted communities will be front and center of a successful effort to develop offshore wind. No matter your background or skill set; if you’re ready to work, there is a place for you in the offshore wind industry.  Building out workforce training around the spectrum of jobs will be critical to our success. Recognizing the tremendous opportunity for our state, Louisiana’s leaders have taken important first steps to lay the groundwork for this opportunity: encouraging the creation of BOEM’s Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, establishing the state’s Climate Initiatives Task Force, and launching Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan, the first of its kind in the Gulf South. We’re beginning to see the results of these planning efforts. On August 29, the first-ever leases for offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico opened up for bid off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. The outcome of the auction resulted in RWE, a German company who is one of leading suppliers of renewables worldwide, winning a provisional lease for the Lake Charles Area. This lease area, a size of 102,480 acres, has the potential to generate 1.24 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, which can power nearly 435,400 homes with clean, renewable energy. With Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan goal of generating 5 GW of offshore wind energy and the forward momentum of the work of the Climate Initiatives Task Force and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, Louisiana is sending the right signals to the offshore wind market. Our innovative and industrious offshore workers are among the best the country has to offer, and now they could have the opportunity to expand their skills and expertise with the construction and operation of a wind farm in their own backyard. If we wish to ride this momentum and maintain our head start in the “wind rush,” we need bipartisan leadership to continue building the policy environment needed to attract investment and optimize development of offshore wind. For CPEX, a tour of Block Island Wind Farm presented an excellent opportunity to showcase Louisiana’s ingenuity and collaborate with a diverse group of leaders on the exciting possibilities of wind and next steps for our state. As stated by a tour participant, this is in our DNA. Nobody knows the challenges of the Gulf Coast like Louisiana’s offshore workers, and no one is better able to build out this industry and reap the benefits for our workforce, our economy, and our residents. With the power of wind, Louisiana can drive economic growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and inspire other coastal states to follow suit.  But to realize this, we have to start with holistic planning and CPEX is here to help support that effort.

Communications and Special Initiatives Coordinator, Amelia Gabor, stands on the ‘Tiger Lagoon’ creative crosswalk by artist Marc Fresh. Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, unveiled  its first Creative Crosswalk on Tower Drive last month, marking further progress toward a beautiful and pedestrian-centered campus. Having spent my last months as a student advocating and planning for LSU’s newest colorful street addition, I am immensely proud to see my vision for an even more walkable and vibrant campus come to life. As part of my capstone class at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, my group was tasked with identifying an issue at LSU to spend our last semester trying to address or solve. Eager to share the knowledge I gained during my internship at the Center for Planning Excellence (my best and only claim to professional legitimacy at that point), I proposed we consider the benefits pedestrian-friendly infrastructure offers to students and the shortcomings of the existing crosswalks on campus. For many of us who reside in Baton Rouge–and undoubtedly college towns across the country–college is our first opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a walkable community. Residential spaces, grocery stores, restaurants, and social hubs are never more than a 15 minute walk away. I enjoyed years of grabbing a latte or lunch at City Pork in the Design Building, studying and relaxing in the shaded green space of the Quad and Parade grounds, and meeting friends at the LSU Library or Student Union. This could all be achieved without ever starting my car, which is a blessing considering I’ve been unofficially voted Baton Rouge’s Worst Driver 2019-2023 by those who’ve graced my passenger seat. To myself, my group members, and nearly 35,000 LSU students, campus feels like a walkable utopia, an escape from Baton Rouge traffic for the day. But even in this people-centric utopia, data reported by the Advocate revealed that forty-one pedestrians were hit by cars on campus between 2013 and 2018. This revelation, coupled with an awareness of the many fading crosswalks on campus, crystallized our cause. The innovative idea that emerged was TigerCross, an initiative aiming to increase pedestrian safety, mobility, and campus beautification through the implementation of one or more creative crosswalks. which use art to enliven streets as engaging and safe places for people. Unlike standard black and white crosswalks, creative crosswalks utilize colorful patterns, images, and designs that reflect the local culture, history, or themes relevant to the area. Their rising popularity can be attributed to their ability to beautify public spaces, create a sense of place, and foster community pride, ultimately making the simple act of crossing the street a more enjoyable, memorable, and safe experience. The advancement of campus mobility was not a new concept. LSU has made strides toward creating a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly campus, from the decision to close campus to vehicles during operating hours a few years ago to the recent addition of e-bikes and e-scooters. The most recent LSU Campus Master Plan – completed in 2017– identified connectivity, mobility, and pedestrian safety as priorities, outlining strategies like converting unnecessary parking lots into pedestrian amenities and open green space, emphasizing a system of major pedestrian routes providing safe and clear paths to major campus destinations, removing cars and parking within the campus core to reinforce pedestrian priority, collaborating with the city to create new walking, biking and transit-only corridors, and so much more. However, when the TigerCross team began examining LSU’s pedestrian infrastructure, we realized that many of these initiatives had not been achieved. This, coupled with the $636,808,794 in deferred maintenance costs that LSU was managing, made it clear that a student-led, student-funded push was just what this campus needed to bring mobility and pedestrian safety back to the forefront of the conversation. Our team compiled research and data highlighting the necessity and viability of a Creative Crosswalk on LSU’s campus; identified the key players that needed to approve the project; and put together a budget to propose to student government. By the time our budget was approved and we received the go-ahead from the Department of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction, the semester was coming to an end, and we feared that this initiative wouldn’t see the light of day. When I began my post-grad life working full time at CPEX, I remained determined to make TigerCross a reality. I worked with my former professor to advocate for a new group of seniors to take up the cause. After some convincing, we found a group that was interested in identifying an artist, presenting the designs, ensuring they were compliant with ADA standards, and overseeing the implementation and unveiling. I offered my advice to the team throughout the latter half of the project because they too faced roadblocks (no pun intended) in getting it approved and implemented. The new creative crosswalk features a colorful and eye-catching design that displays two tigers bathing in what we’re calling “Tiger Lagoon.” It is located at a high-visibility, high-foot traffic area on Tower Drive between the LSU Student Union and quad, making it a critical location for pedestrian safety. The addition of a creative crosswalk to this intersection demonstrates LSU’s commitment to the well-being of its community. It serves a dual-purpose as a high-visibility crosswalk that enhances pedestrian safety and a public art installation that showcases the creativity and talent of the local artist Marc Fresh. Throughout this experience, I’ve learned how important it is to have infrastructure that facilitates walkability–and to do it right. We faced many challenges and more than a few critics; there were so many occasions where we doubted this would be possible. Offers for partnerships with several student art organizations were declined. We lacked the technical understanding or artistic advice to assert opinions on asphalt porosity, corresponding paint type, and other intricate logistics to Campus Campus Planning, Design, and Construction. We found it incredibly difficult to find an account to hold the funds we were awarded– student government funds are typically spent directly, not reserved. Not only did we not meet the amount to warrant an account with the LSU Foundation, they were not allowed to accept student funds, disqualifying us from a landing page on their website. Through all of these challenges and more, our champions were our professor Robert Mann, Director of Campus Planning, Greg Lacour, and Assistant Director of Campus Planning, Dennis Mitchell. Their expertise and enthusiasm helped us find solutions, like the decision to commission community artists, address logistical issues, and transfer funds to the College of Art and Design, where Dean Alkis Tsolakis held it until implementation. Evolution comes with growing pains, and I hope that sharing my journey with this project can encourage others who are passionate about pedestrian safety and mobility. TigerCross is a great example of how institutions, planners, and, yes, students and individuals can prioritize pedestrian safety while also adding to the beauty and uniqueness of their communities. It’s a great addition to LSU’s campus, and we hope it leads to the installation of more Creative Crosswalks in and around Baton Rouge.

The City of Gonzales recently became the second city in Louisiana to develop its own climate action plan. Gonzales is leading by example and has taken this step toward climate resilience with an even larger goal in mind: aligning their efforts with Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50% by the year 2030, and to have net-zero emissions by 2050. I grew up in Winnsboro, LA, a rural town in North Louisiana – similar to Gonzales. I know very well the close relationship that rural city governments have with their residents. They care for you. They know your name – and the names of your mother, father, grandmother, cousins, aunts, uncles and…well, you get the point. Rural towns are basically large families – the relationships are genuine. So when Gonalzes community leaders reached out to CPEX with the desire to develop a Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) to ensure that their residents can enjoy the city years from now as they do today, that resonated with me. I was excited to do this work because it aligns with my career goals and education. But it’s my roots and the connection to my early days in Winnsboro that really drew me in to this project and gives me hope for the future of Louisiana. It is inspiring to see this initiative coming from a small and strong town like Gonzales. They understand that the future of their community depends on their ability to withstand the climate crisis threatening our state, so they’re taking matters into their own hands. Working with the City of Gonzales gave us at CPEX a chance to build trust within the community and further strengthen our relationship with city leaders. We engaged residents by supplying them with a preference survey to see what changes they would like to see in Gonzales. Bike lanes, community gardens, farmers markets, composting and recycling services, transit options, and public parks are just some of the things that Gonzales residents said they want to see in their city. CPEX used the survey results, input from Gonzales’s Climate Action Committee, and focus group findings to develop strategies for compact development and energy efficiency measures that will move Gonzales toward its climate resilience goals. During this process, there were some worries about what change would look like and the growing presence of new technologies such as electric vehicles. We had an opportunity to hear members out, address their concerns, and collectively come up with solutions that were tailored to the city of Gonzlaes and what they were comfortable seeing themselves achieve in the near future. A major part of this process was listening to our partners – and actually hearing them – and then providing workable strategies for achieving their goals. I am glad we were able to do that for the city and residents of Gonzales. Last year, Louisiana released the state’s Climate Action Plan – a set of proposals and strategies for reducing the severity of climate change impacts while preserving economic competitiveness in a low-carbon future. Gonzales is doing their part to ensure that their residents as well as our state are prepared for future climate impacts, and we look forward to seeing other communities follow their lead.

The City of Gonzales recently became the second city in Louisiana to develop its own climate action plan. Gonzales is leading by example and has taken this step toward climate resilience with an even larger goal in mind: aligning their efforts with Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50% by the year 2030, and to have net-zero emissions by 2050. I grew up in Winnsboro, LA, a rural town in North Louisiana – similar to Gonzales. I know very well the close relationship that rural city governments have with their residents. They care for you. They know your name – and the names of your mother, father, grandmother, cousins, aunts, uncles and…well, you get the point. Rural towns are basically large families – the relationships are genuine. So when Gonalzes community leaders reached out to CPEX with the desire to develop a Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) to ensure that their residents can enjoy the city years from now as they do today, that resonated with me. I was excited to do this work because it aligns with my career goals and education. But it’s my roots and the connection to my early days in Winnsboro that really drew me in to this project and gives me hope for the future of Louisiana. It is inspiring to see this initiative coming from a small and strong town like Gonzales. They understand that the future of their community depends on their ability to withstand the climate crisis threatening our state, so they’re taking matters into their own hands. Working with the City of Gonzales gave us at CPEX a chance to build trust within the community and further strengthen our relationship with city leaders. We engaged residents by supplying them with a preference survey to see what changes they would like to see in Gonzales. Bike lanes, community gardens, farmers markets, composting and recycling services, transit options, and public parks are just some of the things that Gonzales residents said they want to see in their city. CPEX used the survey results, input from Gonzales’s Climate Action Committee, and focus group findings to develop strategies for compact development and energy efficiency measures that will move Gonzales toward its climate resilience goals. During this process, there were some worries about what change would look like and the growing presence of new technologies such as electric vehicles. We had an opportunity to hear members out, address their concerns, and collectively come up with solutions that were tailored to the city of Gonzlaes and what they were comfortable seeing themselves achieve in the near future. A major part of this process was listening to our partners – and actually hearing them – and then providing workable strategies for achieving their goals. I am glad we were able to do that for the city and residents of Gonzales. Last year, Louisiana released the state’s Climate Action Plan – a set of proposals and strategies for reducing the severity of climate change impacts while preserving economic competitiveness in a low-carbon future. Gonzales is doing their part to ensure that their residents as well as our state are prepared for future climate impacts, and we look forward to seeing other communities follow their lead.

Growing up here in Louisiana, I’ve found that it can be difficult to take an optimistic view on climate issues. I was five years old and living in Shreveport when Hurricane Katrina hit and sent a slew of displaced kids to my kindergarten class. I was sixteen and living in Baton Rouge when the flood of 2016 brought waist-deep water to my neighborhood street. The unique circumstances of living in Louisiana, and especially southern Louisiana, were all I really knew for most of my life. It wasn’t until I left to go to college in New York that I fully realized how much I loved and missed my home in Baton Rouge. Often I would find myself giddily explaining Louisiana’s native phrases to my northern friends, or making them try Tony Chachere’s for the first time, or bringing them back to visit for Mardi Gras. And, as I began to find my passion in environmental policy, I realized how called I felt to come back and apply that passion in my home state, where I felt it was truly needed. Returning to Louisiana, I found that I was far from alone— there’s a large and growing community of people in Baton Rouge and the rest of the state that are driven and dedicated to helping Louisiana combat the effects of climate change. Still, no matter how passionate we are about these rising climate issues, there’s no denying how massive they are in scale, or how complicated they are to tackle. Living here in Louisiana increases our proximity to a lot of these problems, in the form of our disappearing coastline and the prominence of industry pollution along the Mississippi River. In short— these problems are big, and their size can be really, really daunting. So what is there to be done as an individual? Most of us desperately want to help, and though we may get the idea of collective action, sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the results. How much are my paper straws really doing to fight the 12 million tons of plastic that gets dumped into the oceans every year? Facing challenges of this magnitude, trying to make a difference as an individual can start to feel futile. But then I started working at CPEX and got to be part of the Smart Growth Summit— a collection of people from across the state (and beyond) who are all dedicated to doing their part. By listening to the wisdom and expertise of our various speakers, I was able to see all of the work that is being done collectively. From city planners to policymakers to energy experts, people are doing their part to remedy the climate issues that threaten our future. The theme of this year’s Summit was “Inspire Action and Ignite Change,” and I believe that it did just that. Events like the Summit show us that even if change doesn’t happen all at once, it is still happening. The actions taken aren’t always on a grandiose scale, but they are steps in the right direction and they add up to big changes. Each time a street gets a new bike lane, we create an opportunity to lower emissions. Each time a new solar panel begins operations, a percentage of our energy portfolio gets cleaner. These little battles aren’t always gratifying, but they are the correct and necessary path to create a cleaner environment in years to come. The Smart Growth Summit brings us together to remind us of that, to reinvigorate our efforts, and to give us hope for the future.

The rich culture, delicious cuisine, festivals, and abundant natural beauty make it so easy to fall in love with Louisiana – but, being on the frontlines of climate change for the past decades, it’s also a risky place to love. Whether by inland rivers, stormwater, or coastal storm surge, Louisiana is facing increased risk from both the magnitude and frequency of flood events. Dubbed the Great Flood of 2016, Louisiana experienced two historic rain events that impacted 56 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and highlighted statewide vulnerabilities and exposed the lack of water and land management. More than 145,000 rental and owner-occupied homes across the state were flooded–an estimated $10 billion in damages. These historic flooding events exposed deficiencies in floodplain management approaches at all levels of government. In an effort to address these deficiencies, the state received $1.2 billion through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. This initiative aims to mitigate flood risk statewide by managing water at the watershed scale through modeling, regional capacity building and coordination, and workforce development over the next 10 years. This watershed approach uses the watershed’s ecological boundaries rather than political boundaries as geography for decision making. This is a significant change from the jurisdictional approach to water management in the U.S. and in Governor Edwards’ words: “It’s harder. It requires more work. It’s politically risky, but it is the right thing to do.” And here is why: It’s Harder Every parish and municipality has its own set of identity, culture, economic drivers, and development regulations (or lack thereof). For instance, the City Parish of Lafayette is closely working with its rural communities in the Acadiana region to make water management decisions together. Making development decisions that have long-term community benefits is much more difficult when environmental, social, and economic conditions are in flux – within, across, and between parishes and municipalities (not to mention the broader state and national contexts). These changing conditions are disrupting the jurisdictional approach to managing risks, planning for land use, and using natural resources wisely. Our communities have been impacted by flooding so many times that we are constantly in recovery mode and barely able, if not completely unable, to assess the shortcomings of our standard operating procedures and embrace a watershed approach. Implementing this new approach requires data to make informed decisions, dedicated staff and leaders to implement these decisions, and a paradigm shift related to how we live in a watershed with high flood risk. It Requires More Work A watershed approach to managing flood risk requires a robust, data-driven model to inform land and water management needs at scale. This first requires building consensus on the expectations, purpose, and use of the model. It also requires that we build the local and state capacity to collect the data, operate and maintain the models, communicate the model outputs, and drive cross-jurisdictional and -agency decision making based on the model’s outputs. It then requires that parishes prioritize the watershed boundary over the political one to manage land use and implement water management practices. Don’t be fooled by this short paragraph on the enormity of the tasks. It’s Politically Risky Like flooding itself, watersheds do not follow jurisdictional or political boundaries. But the jurisdictional and political boundaries are where land use decisions that impact flood risk get made: Where to develop what and how. It is also where recovery funding – an economy in itself – is received and spent. Sometimes neighbors are friends, sometimes foes, but competition for resource allocation complicates everything. Taking a watershed approach requires collaboration and coordination between political entities in a common watershed and consensus on the best path forward to reduce flood risk, share available resources, and consider upstream and downstream impacts on neighbors. This means advocating for resources, even when those resources are distributed unevenly. Meaning, some will “get more than others,” in the short-term, but this resource allocation will ultimately be for the common good and the long-term benefit of the watershed and its communities. It’s The Right Thing To Do When it comes to dealing with climate change in Louisiana, we need to recognize that our communities, our health, our economy, and our overall future is at stake. In a state with nearly 18% of its population living in poverty, we cannot afford repetitive flooding of properties. The choices that we make today about how we invest in our people and places will determine the viability of our communities tomorrow. In a state where the most at-risk people are most often the most vulnerable, a watershed approach has the potential to reduce their risk of damages and losses from flooding. Beyond protecting residents, a watershed approach also has the potential to conserve and preserve natural resources and habitats. By implementing best practices such as Nature Based Solutions, it also takes cost-effective advantage of ecosystem services. Conclusion To secure a more resilient future, it is essential that the value of Louisiana’s water is recognized from multiple perspectives, including economic, social, and environmental, with an understanding how watershed and floodplain management can mitigate risks in light of evolving environmental and economic conditions. A successful watershed-based approach to flood risk management requires a clear delineation of responsibilities, as well as cooperation and coordination between entities at the state, local, and regional levels. If we continue to take the business as usual approach, we will continue to incur severe and sometimes catastrophic damages and losses to economies, communities, and natural resources. The time to make these changes is when the climate and economies are changing. Meaning, the time is now.

This past summer was hot! So much so that June was recorded as the region’s hottest on record. High fuel prices and rapidly rising energy costs have meant that staying cool amidst record-breaking heat is a lot more expensive. Though we’ve all been feeling the pinch of high energy bills, it is a much greater hardship for residents living on low or fixed incomes. Many families and individuals with limited resources are also living in older homes that are not optimized for energy efficiency, driving utility costs even higher for those who can least afford it. Moreover, things like inadequate air conditioning, poorly sealed doors and windows, and insufficient insulation also affect our health – negatively impacting air and sleep quality and overall well-being. The correlation between housing quality, economic stability, and health has long been recognized, and since 1976, the federal government has made weatherization services available at no cost to income-qualified households through its Weatherization Assistance Program. With more extreme weather creating higher temperatures in the summer and colder temperatures in the winter, this program, which makes homes more energy efficient and improves the quality of our overall housing stock, is needed now more than ever. Home weatherization is the process of improving heating and cooling efficiency of one’s home which reduces energy costs and improves the comfort level, air quality, health, and safety of household members. This can be done through several measures, including but not limited to installing insulation in walls and attics, updating heating and cooling systems, upgrading electrical appliances, sealing windows, and installing AC window units to make homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer with less energy usage. The Weatherization Assistance Program is spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy. In Louisiana, the DoE allocates funding to the Louisiana Housing Corporation, which contracts weatherization service providers to retrofit income-qualified homes to increase energy efficiency at no cost to the homeowner. Home weatherization is especially beneficial to low-income households, which carry a larger burden for energy costs, typically spending 14% of total annual income on energy costs, versus 3% for other households. Often, they must cut back or forgo equally critical healthcare, medicine, groceries, and childcare to pay energy bills.(1) Home weatherization can save households up to $500 per year. Through our work with communities throughout the state, Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) has learned that even when needed resources are available, vulnerable populations are often unable to take advantage of these resources due to barriers to accessing information, transportation, and technical expertise that is required. With resources from the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, CPEX was able to help bridge this gap and connect Scotlandville residents in North Baton Rouge to Weatherization Assistance Program resources that will help them save money and live healthier lives. In partnership with Metro District 2 Councilwoman Chauna Banks, CPEX developed a targeted, high-touch outreach and engagement strategy designed to meet community residents where they are to provide awareness of available resources, encourage participation, and assist with the home weatherization application process. The weatherization assistance effort is a continuation of CPEX’s commitment to working with the Scotlandville community to advance its long-term goals for vitality and sustainability, as outlined in the Scotlandville Community Strategic Plan. To assist residents, CPEX took a two-pronged approach: we conducted a robust outreach campaign to raise awareness about the weatherization program, its benefits, and eligibility requirements and hosted three application assistance events, which worked to eliminate many of the barriers to submitting applications. The application assistance events were held at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center, a known community resource in Scotlandville. These events also included representatives from Posigen, a Solar Energy, and Energy Efficiency company, to share information about solar panel installation, to further increase residents’ awareness of home energy efficiency options. In just three months, we were able to help nearly 200 residents submit applications for weatherization assistance, and the process of having their homes evaluated and upgraded is now well underway. These households will see reduced energy costs and increases in comfort levels and well-being, especially for young children and older residents. For some, the transformation has been life-changing – as expressed by Scotlandville resident, Gloria Hawkins. Many more households will benefit, as word has spread and residents have continued to reach out to CPEX for assistance. It is exciting to see these homes receive upgrades needed to be healthier and more efficient, but the success of these events also demonstrate the dire need for broader assistance throughout East Baton Rouge Parish and the region. In March 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $3.1billion to the U.S. DoE Weatherization Assistance program, with Louisiana receiving an allocation of nearly $31M – ten times the current funding level. In order to take advantage of this potentially transformative investment in underserved communities, we must make sure that there are effective people and processes in place to connect residents to the resources and the assistance they need. In Scotlandville, we are honored to have the opportunity to continue to work with this community to make progress toward their goal of improving the area housing stock, and we look forward to implementation of other exciting and transformative priorities from their community plan.

As a city planner, a Baton Rouge native, and a parent, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future of this place that I love. My goal is to build a safe, healthy community where all residents can thrive and newcomers can find plentiful opportunities. I want my kids and future grandkids to enjoy a vibrant, productive life in a strong and resilient city. I know that others share this vision, and if we are to achieve this future for the Baton Rouge region, we have to choose right now to work together to seize some big, exciting opportunities. Building the future we envision means understanding how we arrived at the current state of our city. Over the past 40 years, Baton Rouge has grown into a bustling, culturally rich, mid-sized Gulf Coast city–and our challenges around flood risk, poverty, congestion, water resources, and infrastructure maintenance have grown as well. These challenges are all largely a result of past planning and development patterns that are not going to serve our future well. Right now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a city that is resilient, safe, and inclusive with walkable, bikeable neighborhoods characterized by a special sense of place and a diverse, thriving economy. Achieving this vision will require us to address the risks we face as a community on the front lines of climate change – and the ways that past decades of development have exacerbated that risk. MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF CAR-DRIVEN INVESTMENT IN BATON ROUGE During the 50s and 60s, government investments overwhelmingly backed the expansion of our highway infrastructure, which effectively drove and subsidized sprawl. The consequences of this pattern of development have been well-documented – we now have cities that are struggling with long commutes, outsized congestion, degraded air quality, health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles, and unmanageable infrastructure expenses. This pattern also accelerated racial and economic disparities along neighborhood borders. Instead of investing in central, connected neighborhoods and commercial corridors seen in older parts of the city, like the Garden District, Mid City, and Beauregard Town, we have expanded Baton Rouge’s periphery and built subdivisions that are disconnected from one another and from daily destinations like work, school, and shopping. Baton Rouge drivers lose 62 hours every year to traffic, and one ranking puts us fourth in the nation for traffic congestion, just behind New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to data from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s 2021 CityStats, a majority of residents support the development of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit networks – but only 44% support changing zoning “to encourage building denser communities to reduce vehicle trips.” Density is vital for preserving greenspace and facilitating the travel options that people want. It doesn’t mean that everyone has to live in a high-rise – there are many ways to achieve the benefits of density while still offering a wide range of housing choices. This tells me that we have to be bold in educating the public and pursuing a new way of doing things. The data calls for urgency: the International Panel on Climate Change’s 4th Assessment Report finds that over the next 10-30 years Baton Rouge will experience almost three times as many extreme heat events, increases in flash flooding, and eight times as many extreme rain events annually. Car-centric development, highway expansion, and suburban sprawl are not sustainable under current conditions – let alone in this projected future. We have to shift our approach to land use, transportation, water management, housing, and economic development investments, using the best available climate data and science. With historic levels of funding available from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the time is now to seize new opportunities to redirect our development priorities and set a more sustainable course. Let’s talk about a few of the key actions we need to take to ensure that Baton Rouge can successfully adapt, evolve, and progress as a leading Gulf Coast city. What follows is by no means an exhaustive list, but would be important steps in the right direction. Update our land use and mobility practices for a greener, more sustainable future. Past decades of development have given us a highway system that is forever in need of expansion and expensive maintenance. To correct this course for our future, a key strategy for Baton Rouge would include retrofitting existing suburban areas to create 20-minute neighborhoods where daily needs and destinations can be reached by walking, biking, or public transit in 20 minutes or less. This type of investment has the additional benefit of limiting the proliferation of impervious surfaces, enabling us to reserve natural areas for managing stormwater – instead of paving them over for new developments. By incentivizing growth towards existing infrastructure and ensuring that all public investments deliver multiple benefits for our climate, city, and people, we can accomplish so much for the future of Baton Rouge, including curbing sprawl, reducing flood risk, decreasing vehicle travel (and associated emissions), lowering infrastructure costs, and improving our health and quality of life. Diversify our economy to create high-quality opportunities for all. As we look ahead to the next 40 years, we already know that our city will be transformed by climate change, economic shifts, and population movement. It’s no secret that Baton Rouge-area businesses struggle to attract new hires, and natives are encouraging their kids to build their futures elsewhere. Young people are looking for places to live and raise their families that offer both economic opportunity and safe communities that don’t put their lives and their assets at risk. We must ensure that Baton Rouge’s transformation brings new economic opportunities and greater security for everyone in our shared future. As the state capital, Baton Rouge has been at the center of decades of economic policies that have supported high-carbon industries. Oil and gas have been pillars of our economy and created pathways to opportunity for many people in our region. Globally, those industries are now taking big steps to transition to what they know is the future: cleaner energy sources and renewables such as wind, solar, and hydro. Locally, we can work with oil and gas industry stakeholders to ensure that the Baton Rouge region is well-positioned to lead this transition and capitalize on the new opportunities it will yield. Given our wealth of natural resources, skilled workforce, and existing industrial infrastructure, we have the capacity right here to provide clean energy to residents and businesses, provide jobs for the energy workers we have today, and expand opportunities for the many people in Baton Rouge who need entry into the workforce. As energy markets shift, we must also open the door for new innovators and investors. Going forward, it will be essential to further diversify our economy, cultivating new industries beyond the energy sector to reduce our vulnerability to volatile markets and increase our overall economic resilience. Modernize and future-proof our energy grid. Our energy grid is fundamental to community resilience. Over 100 years ago, we built this vital infrastructure to distribute power to neighborhoods so that our citizens could enjoy a higher quality of life and more comfortable, healthier home environments. Today, that infrastructure is antiquated and vulnerable to increasingly severe weather events. It’s past time for another transformational investment in our energy infrastructure. We can improve the ability of our existing grid to withstand extreme heat events and storms while providing affordable energy to households experiencing increased demands. Strategic infrastructure upgrades can also support the development of renewable energy like wind and solar, along with policies that facilitate private investment and empower our residents and businesses to share equitably in the benefits. As Louisiana currently stands to receive billions of dollars of federal funds, the time is now to pursue these essential investments. We can’t let this moment pass us by. Foster bold leadership and effective governance to address our greatest challenges and opportunities. Without strong leaders and good governance, the transformational changes we need will not happen. We must recalibrate our governance structures to match the scale, scope, and complexity of our challenges and opportunities – especially around climate change. One way to achieve this is by designing adaptive systems that facilitate data-informed, collaborative, and transparent decision making. Incorporating projections of future environmental, social, and economic conditions into decision making processes will help Baton Rouge prepare for the chronic stressors of climate change and leverage individual investments toward a clear vision for the future. Additionally, our processes for designing infrastructure must prioritize cross-sector collaboration on the development of multi-benefit projects that result in a higher quality of life. I’m ready to double down on my commitment to Louisiana and hope to do so hand in hand with leaders old and new, from all sectors, who are willing to step forward and help build a bright future. We must be courageous, innovative, compassionate, and unafraid to disrupt the status quo in service of the greater good. Many of these leaders are already among us, working day in and day out to cultivate an equitable and resilient region. Some of these leaders will probably come from other places, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas – we should be ready to welcome and support them. INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE Our city-parish government is faced with tough choices every single day. In order to make the best use of our limited resources, every public dollar invested should deliver multiple benefits to our communities – for example, parks that provide healthy recreation and are also designed for flood mitigation during heavy rain events. In order to synchronize and expand the efforts that are already underway, we need a robust resilience planning effort that will engage our community in a discussion about our values, priorities, and future goals. A comprehensive approach is critical–siloed efforts to address narrowly defined problems can only get us so far. In order to move the needle in a meaningful way on the issues that are standing between the Baton Rouge of today and the Baton Rouge we envision, our challenges must be addressed in concert by a diverse, committed group of multi-sector stakeholders. In many ways, the path has already been laid for us. In 1998, Plan Baton Rouge was launched to revitalize our downtown. City leaders and diverse stakeholders came together, strategic partnerships were developed, and private resources were deployed to leverage public investment in smart growth. Today, downtown Baton Rouge is a major employment center that is home to thriving businesses and restaurants, hotels, residential property, public art and cultural events, parks, and beautiful, flood-mitigating green space. Another important step forward that we can build upon is Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan–the Gulf South’s first plan to address our climate challenges, with action steps for reducing greenhouse gasses and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. With these efforts already underway, Louisiana and Baton Rouge are well-positioned to lead through this challenging time of change and opportunity. Climate change is transforming communities everywhere and forcing people to make decisions differently. In so many places, families that have invested in their communities for generations are pulling up stakes and leaving to find opportunities elsewhere. Climate-driven migration, much of it coming into Baton Rouge, is only going to increase in the coming years. We have the choice to make the most of this reality by making sure our city stands tall as a safe, resilient place where new and old residents thrive together. Baton Rouge is home to a lot of wonderful people, rich culture and history, and a wealth of natural assets. Despite its challenges, I feel privileged to be working and raising my family in such a special place. In order to preserve the things we all love about our city, we have to be willing to do things differently, seize new opportunities, and address our challenges with the urgency they call for. Let’s kick off Baton Rouge’s next 40 years with optimism, hope, and bold vision. Future generations will thank us.

I recently met a resident of Marksville who after some years in D.C. returned to his hometown. Like so many others I have met throughout my work in Louisiana, he is bringing home a different perspective on quality of life, a can-do attitude, and what seems like endless energy to improve his hometown. So what is the appeal? I asked him this when we first met for a tour of the town. His answer wasn’t unfamiliar – in short: the quiet lifestyle and potential. I knew what he meant because it confirmed what I’ve been witnessing in central Louisiana: older communities with rich histories and good bones that are eager for revitalization. Visiting these towns, I have found roughly two types — those that are organized around a courthouse and those that organize along a railroad. It is fascinating to think about the impact each development pattern has and continues to have on how we get around, invest, and who lives where. Towns organized along the railroad are long, and downtown may be recognizable by a railroad station. Towns organized around the courthouse tend to be more spherical in shape with the downtown well … downtown. Both types of towns usually have Main Streets, offering an “urban” feel in a rural setting — a major appeal to those who have come back and those looking to come back. These small town Main Streets are also experiencing some economic revitalization. Many of the once thriving downtown businesses have found new owners who bring their vision and money to catalyze new life that helps revive downtown areas. These towns also have great bones – a network of streets and roads that connect neighborhoods, downtown businesses, and other community assets within a relatively short distance, making the town more walkable and bikeable — theoretically. In the last decade, improvements to the walk and bike infrastructure have become a hot topic in urban planning. But bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure isn’t just for cities and urbanized areas – rural communities want to walk and bike safely too. They also want economic activity and a quality of life that offers some features of bigger cities, such as cultural events and access to jobs and services, but without all the hustle and bustle. They enjoy greater exposure to nature due to the rural setting, and a pace of life set by the community members. Although the community-led vision and basic infrastructure is there, many of Louisiana’s small towns lack the capacity to make the changes they seek. Planners can work with both state and local partners to boost capacities and build on existing infrastructure, community assets, and social networks. As small town residents know, building up these assets is key to retaining young people and attracting new residents and investments. If we think about these small, nearly forgotten towns as the urban centers in rural settings they are and make investments accordingly, we could energize regional economies by boosting options to buy local; we could help combat climate change by reducing the hours spent driving to bigger cities to access goods and services; and we could help preserve the unique culture and way of life in rural Louisiana and great small towns everywhere.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to restrict the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon emissions. This means that every individual, community, and state now shares the burden to be good stewards of the environment and care for the most vulnerable members of our society – making it clear that the well-being of the nation rests on our collective shoulders. In a nutshell, the ruling in West Virginia vs. EPA means that the EPA no longer has the authority to mandate that energy companies shift to cleaner sources in order to cap carbon emissions. That responsibility now falls to Congress – a political body beholden to many interests other than understanding and curbing climate change effects. If you’ve been following my commentary and the work of CPEX, you’ll know that I’m deeply disturbed by this ruling. As planners, we understand that this decision will have a multitude of downstream effects that impact people, communities, and quality of life. I spent a couple of days grieving for everyone working to create a healthier and more sustainable future for our people and planet, knowing that this decision makes our work MUCH harder. But then I rallied: OUR responsibility to act isn’t reliant on Congress, the Supreme Court, or even the EPA. We should absolutely hold our elected officials accountable for providing the leadership that is needed at the federal level, but we can still plan and fight for a better future right now and right here on the front lines of climate change. We have precedent for local action in the face of scary and disheartening decisions like this one. When former President Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, city mayors all over the country stepped up to create local climate action plans. Similarly, Louisiana has shown leadership in developing the Gulf South’s first state Climate Action Plan, which gives us a path forward for reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We already have the tools in hand to both increase our economic competitiveness as an energy-producing state and limit climate change impacts by investing in clean, renewable energy. State and local governments are already driving the changes we need, so it’s critical that we stay the course. Absent federal support, Louisiana – a state where 66% of emissions come from energy and petrochemical sources – can still back smart policies, allocate incentives wisely, and develop innovations to reduce greenhouse gasses and achieve net zero emissions. In the wake of this news, I want to applaud our leadership for what they’ve already done – and continue to press for change and progress at every level. We have a hard path ahead, and I don’t want to sugarcoat the obstacles we’re facing. It will be difficult to reduce emissions to the levels needed to reach our goals, and this shift in the regulatory environment makes the task even harder. But even now there are opportunities for states to collaborate and lead with industry partners to build our low-carbon future. Now is the time to commit to immediate and sustained action, because people on the front lines of climate change continue to face a vulnerable and uncertain future. Our goal doesn’t change, regardless of judicial rulings: we’re focused on helping PEOPLE by cultivating healthier, more sustainable communities. By continuing and growing our collaborative efforts at the local and state levels, I believe that we can achieve this goal and create a strong, resilient future in the post-West Virginia vs. EPA world.

In his address to state leaders and agency executives at the Resilient Infrastructure Workshop held in March, Governor John Bel Edwards described the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a “once in a generation opportunity to realize a more resilient and equitable future by strengthening Louisiana’s built environment and positioning the state for future economic success,” and issued a call to take action, stating, “We all have a role to play, and we must rise to the occasion.” Recently released public policy rankings by the Reason Foundation highlight the dire need for infrastructure investment in Louisiana. Our state’s roads and bridges are ranked near the bottom nationally for poor quality and structural deficiency, and we hold a D+ rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Unfortunately, this isn’t news. Louisiana has had a backlog of infrastructure needs that has been growing for decades. Upgrading our infrastructure is becoming even more urgent as we recognize the need to prepare for the reality of life on the front lines of climate change. We need a transformative approach to reviving our infrastructure – one that disrupts the cycle of disaster and response that has Louisiana in a perpetual state of reliance on federal disaster relief and constantly playing catch-up to our infrastructure needs. We need an approach that gets us ahead of our current and future needs based on what we already know about forthcoming climate change impacts, economic shifts, and population movements. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create the built environment and quality of life that will allow Louisiana communities to attract the talent we need and keep the talent we have – billions of dollars to be used for road repairs, public transportation, extreme weather preparedness,broadband expansion, modernizing the utility grid, electric vehicle charging stations, and more. However, these resources will not result in the improvements and advances we need unless our state agencies and elected officials have the capacity to put them to work for the good of our communities. In order to help ensure that Louisiana is ready to take advantage of the funding available, CPEX hosted the Resilient Infrastructure Workshop on March 7-8. In partnership with the Division of Administration, we convened state agency executives, nonprofit leaders, and federal officials to develop a shared understanding of the scope of opportunity, priority criteria for competitive funding, and the steps Louisiana must take to develop competitive projects and funding applications that advance our climate adaptation, economic development, resiliency, and community development goals. The IIJA is based on four guiding principles: Equity, Labor, Climate, and Made in America. With these principles in mind, CPEX facilitated discussions and led activities focused on state agency priority setting, cross-agency collaboration, and next steps for developing the capacity needed at the state and local levels to position Louisiana competitively for these funds. We know that, in Louisiana, our need for climate-resilient infrastructure is urgent, and our infrastructure deficiencies impact our poorest residents the most, creating inequities in exposure to risk and access to essentials such as affordable transportation, clean water, reliable energy, and safe housing. Our state also has a talented workforce that can be trained and employed to build the infrastructure needed to address these pressing issues, and we’re fortunate to be approaching these opportunities with an existing commitment to climate action, as the Governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force has recently approved the Gulf South’s first state Climate Action Plan. By making the connections between our needs and the IIJA guiding principles clear, state and local officials will be able to design projects that are competitive for top-level grant funding. We will not likely see such an opportunity for investment in Louisiana again in our lifetime. In order to seize it, we must be clear-eyed about the gaps in our capacity at both the state and local levels to develop shovel-worthy projects, competitive proposals and administer federal grant funds – and be willing to direct resources towards building the capacity needed now so that we can reap exponential returns for decades to come. Our legislators can help set aside the funds we will need for matches – specifically, the AARPA funds Louisiana has can be used for this purpose. Sectors, jurisdictions and elected officials must collaborate to align priorities and build partnerships. At the end of the day, it’s not just about infrastructure. Too many of our communities struggle with systemic poverty exacerbated by an unsafe built environment and repeated climate change-driven disasters. This is an opportunity to break the cycle of never-ending disaster response, support marginalized communities with meaningful projects, and plan for a more resilient and secure future. It’s time to support our communities all the time, not just in times of crisis. Let’s seize this moment and invest in our home, our people, and our future with people-first infrastructure.

Happy New Year! As we roll into the new year, we wanted to take a quick look back at the dynamic conversations that took place during CPEX’s Virtual Smart Growth Summit in November. We’ll highlight top takeaways from each session to guide us as we take on the challenges ahead and seize new opportunities to secure a resilient future for Louisiana in 2022. CPEX helped “shape our future” at this year’s Virtual Smart Growth Summit by bringing together experts and innovators from across the nation to share their ideas and solutions for the challenges our communities face – such as climate change, health disparities, and racial and economic inequalities. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and our members, we were able to adjust to the “new normal” and offer the 2021 Virtual Smart Growth Summit at no charge again this year, spanning three days and providing a wealth of information and insight ranging from our climate crisis and its impact on racial inequity to viable solutions for flood risk mitigation and healthy community design. Here are some of the top takeaways to keep in mind as we embark on a new year of great work: Climate Resiliency: Communities Built to Last Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana in August of 2020 – a year and a half later, communities in Southwest Louisiana are still fighting to recover. At a time when communities throughout Louisiana and the rest of the nation are struggling to recover from natural disasters that have become more frequent and intense, this opening session brought forth a critical and honest discussion about how to ensure that our communities are built to withstand the future impacts of climate change. Engaging HUD in this conversation provided insight on how the federal government is shifting programs to support disaster recovery that builds lasting resilience and how locals can position themselves to benefit from these programs. One theme that stood out: informed and inclusive decision making at all levels is critical to ensure that investments being made in climate resilient infrastructure result in the progress needed toward climate goals and an equitable distribution of risks and rewards. Speaker Highlights: Our expert panelists also highlighted the value of bringing diverse groups and sectors to the table when discussing climate change, adaptation, and resiliency. Including government bodies, nonprofits, a range of professionals and practitioners, academics, and community representatives helps ensure that the varied ideas and needs of our communities are heard and incorporated into planning processes. Our experts and advocates were clear: to achieve climate resiliency, we must first address our longstanding history of racial and economic inequalities. True climate resiliency cannot happen until we are open and honest about the issue, make actionable plans that include historically marginalized communities, and invest our dollars in holistic approaches that incorporate all voices. The Reality of Renewables This session was an exciting exploration of new opportunities that could result from Louisiana’s investment in renewable energy. Panelists shared their expertise on creating good governmental policy and practices that strike an equitable balance of interests and deliver beneficial results to the communities they serve. Our speakers also provided concrete advice to help propel Louisiana towards a just transition. Speaker Highlights: The environmental and economic benefits that can result from Louisiana’s transition to renewable energy cannot be understated. However, as our Summit speakers made clear, we must work to ensure the transition includes historically marginalized communities as we move together toward a more sustainable future. Modernizing Mobility with People-First Practices Mobility continues to be a hot topic throughout Louisiana and the nation, and the conversation has been amplified by the many shifts precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the long-awaited passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A global shift away from car culture to people-centric mobility is underway in efforts to create communities that are healthier, more sustainable, equitable, and affordable. Our panel included U.S. DOT Deputy Secretary, Chris Coes, providing insight on opportunities associated with the infrastructure bill and local leaders sharing their vision and experience in implementing people-first mobility options to drive economic development, adapt to climate change impacts, and improve quality of life. Speaker Highlights: Louisiana has taken some important steps towards modernizing our transportation infrastructure with Complete Streets, transit improvements, bike share programs, and pursuing passenger rail – and we still have tremendous opportunity for additional improvements. Especially as significant new infrastructure resources become available in the coming year, we must ensure that we prioritize people, equity, and resilience in transportation investments. Planning for Health: Supporting Community Health through the Built Environment This session illustrated the ways various aspects of the built environment affect our ability to live healthy lives, making the case that planning and design are essential tools for addressing public health concerns. Planning is critical to health because nearly all social determinants of health are impacted by community planning and design. Panelists explained how a person’s ability to access quality education and jobs affects their socioeconomic status; how availability of multimodal transportation affects access to healthy food, health care, and opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors such as walking, biking, and outdoor recreation; and how safe public gathering spaces such as parks and natural areas affect our ability to connect socially, relieve stress, and engage in physical activity. Our expert speakers provided exciting examples of how we can use data, community engagement, and innovative planning approaches to create neighborhoods, corridors, and communities that support human health and help reduce health disparities. Speaker Highlights: There is tremendous opportunity to leverage planning processes and tools to address many of our most pressing public health concerns. To do so, we need to strengthen partnerships between planning and public health organizations and professionals; create a policy environment that is supportive of data-driven, multi-sector efforts to improve health outcomes; and empower communities with information, tools, and resources. People Making Places: Transformative Placemaking Realized During this session, Wendy Lewis Jackson of the Kresge Foundation, Jennifer Vey of the Brookings Institute, and Ilana Preuss, author of Recast Your City, expounded on place-making policies, design tools, small-scale manufacturing, and incentives that have driven revitalization of cherished communities across the nation. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine of Ville Platte and Mayor Julius Alsandor of Opelousas discussed how placemaking can be used to transform communities here in Louisiana and how it strengthens the connection between these places and their residents. Speaker Highlights: Government Street in Baton Rouge is a great example of how placemaking can transform a community. The addition of bike lanes, sidewalks, streetscapes, and murals have revived the area and attracted a number of new restaurants, galleries, and other small businesses. The streets are now filled with bike riders and pedestrians, and the corridor is home to popular events such as art walks and makers’ markets that bring life, light, and togetherness to our community in a time when people have been separated. Transformative placemaking breathes new life into communities. Changing Climate, Changing Landscape, and Evolving Thought: Flood Mitigation in a Changing World By now, every city in this country has experienced the impacts of climate change. Changing precipitation patterns and the 2016 floods in Louisiana highlighted the importance of adapting our approaches to flood mitigation and stormwater management. The session experts described how their understanding of stormwater management has evolved in light of the changes in weather patterns they have observed, current projects underway to address our changing climate and landscape, and best practices for future development. Speaker Highlights: Going forward, effective flood mitigation will call for honest conversations informed by current data. Experts emphasized the importance of not over-promising or spreading resources too thin, and maintained that to implement flood mitigation in a timely manner, we must choose one thing and do that one thing well, acknowledging that time, patience and many complementary decisions are all needed to adequately address our flood risk. Looking Ahead to the New Year… The Smart Growth Summit provided a wealth of information, and now it is up to us to advance effective planning, policy, and practices that will position our communities for a healthy, equitable, climate-friendly future. No matter where you live, or what you do, we all have a role to play. Attend town hall meetings and community engagement events. Share your knowledge on social media. Participate in discussions. It is up to us to shape the future we want to see. Stay tuned for more about what CPEX will be doing in 2022! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmaY7RfBgas

Thanks for another great year!   What an impactful year it has been for CPEX! During another year marked with unprecedented challenges, we have accomplished so much, bringing vision, opportunity, and hope to communities throughout the state. We could not have done it without people like you supporting our work and the dedicated professionals on my team – our talented staff and visionary board. Here are a few accomplishments from 2021: Progress for Scotlandville and Southern University CPEX worked with Southern University to develop a campus master plan designed to support the University’s 10 year strategic plan for expanding its footprint, increasing student enrollment, and strengthening its connections to the surrounding Scotlandville community. CPEX worked with the Scotlandville community to create a strategic plan to guide transformative change focused on enhancing housing and mixed-use development, multi-modal transportation, and improved connections to Southern University. Healthy Community Planning and Design CPEX launched its Louisiana Healthy Community Planning and Design Initiative, a multi-pronged effort in partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana Foundation, the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, and the Louisiana Department of Health to increase understanding of the relationships between the built environment, planning, and public health, and incorporate community health objectives into planning processes. Complete Streets in Rural Communities CPEX continued its work in partnership with the LSU AgCenter developing Complete Streets in high-need rural parishes. In 2021, CPEX worked in East Carroll, St. Helena, Assumption, and Tensas Parishes, creating community-driven action plans to promote physical activity by enhancing Complete Streets facilities and park spaces. Representing Louisiana at the 26th UN Climate Conference I was honored to join Governor John Bel Edwards and his team to represent Louisiana’s interests at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. COP26 served as an important opportunity for accelerating progress toward climate resilience in our state. I provided data, research, and policy guidance to help position Louisiana for new opportunities that unfolded at the conference. 2021 Virtual Smart Growth Summit CPEX engaged people from all over Louisiana and across the nation to help “Shape Our Future” during our 16th annual Smart Growth Summit in November. In 7 sessions over 3 days, speakers shared big ideas and actionable strategies for addressing our most pressing issues associated with climate change, public health, and equity. Thanks to people like you, we have been able to leverage the power of planning to bring progress and hope to our Louisiana communities in 2021. We envision the coming year to be a balance of what we have learned during this pandemic along with some return to in-person engagements. We look forward to continuing our work and connecting with you in 2022!