[StBernard] LouisianaSpeaks.Org Ranked in Top 10 Planning Websites for 2007

[Westley Annis]

LouisianaSpeaks.Org Ranked in Top 10 Planning Websites for 2007

Baton Rouge, LA (March 14, 2007)-- Editors of the online planning network, Planetizen.com, today released their annual list of the best planning, design and development websites in the country, ranking www.louisianaspeaks.org <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org>  in the top ten.

Louisiana Speaks is a long-term planning initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) that is supported with private funds provided through the LRA Support Foundation. The website is managed by the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) and powered by KnowledgePlex due to a generous grant from the Fannie Mae Foundation. 

In the announcement, Planetizen editors wrote, "The authority's website serves as a central repository for information regarding the (Louisiana Speaks) effort -- which is simultaneously managing planning efforts aimed at the building, neighborhood, parish, and regional levels."

To view the complete article, visit http://www.planetizen.com/node/23220 <http://www.planetizen.com/node/23220> . 

In the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Louisiana Speaks initiative works toward the development of a sustainable, long-term vision for South Louisiana. This work combines the efforts of local, state and federal partners along with many experts, stakeholders and citizens into a comprehensive approach.

CPEX, which was created to serve as a resource for residents, community organizations, developers and elected officials to provide information on best practices for planning and urban design, provides primary support and management for the Louisiana Speaks website. 

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency's ESF #14 Long Term Planning Division has also made major contributions to Louisiana Speaks, including development of a dynamic and interactive web-based planning tool which is available online at www.louisianaspeaks-parishplans.org <http://www.louisianaspeaks-parishplans.org> . 

Planning for Louisiana Speaks is led by a team of top local and national professional which includes: Calthorpe Associates, FregoneseCalthorpe Associates, Urban Design Associates, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, ABMB Engineers, Inc., Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, Brown+Danos Landdesign, Inc., Collective Strength, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., PolicyLink, Dr. Robert R. Twilley, and LSU Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assesment and Restoration (CLEAR). 

Planetizen is an online planning and development network which serves as a one-stop source for urban planning news, commentary, interviews, event coverage, book reviews, announcements, jobs, consultant listings, training, and more. Planetizen evaluates websites based on their ability to serve as online resources for those interested in planning, design, and development. The top ten list was based on nominations by Planetizen readers and staff, and judged against a common set of criteria, including standards of web accessibility.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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