Monday, September 23, 2019

THE SILVER LINING TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION -- Part 12

The High Cost of Resiliency Efforts and the Hope that 
Lies in Wise Government Planning and Spending
Blanchard said Sugar Mill Pond, an ongoing phased development presented a unique opportunity to control nature with flooding, not over-engineered culverts.

The Youngsville, La., development currently has 400 houses, townhouses and cottages; 187 apartments; and about 200,000 square feet of commercial-retail built around a large lake. 

The compact TND emphasizes walking and biking to all amenities and services. “We have a big phase coming up and the engineers said we have to put a lot of infrastructure in (to control flooding),” he said. 

“We’re building a giant linear park — with walking trails, covered walkways, kayaking and other amenities bounded by boulevards.” 

When built out, it will connect to another 200 acres of development. Its primary purpose is water retention and detention, but it also provides active recreation. 

“I could convey that amount of water with two 72-inch pipes, but how do I market the lots that are next to the pipes?” Blanchard said.

“But create an amenity, that also mitigates flooding, and people want to live along that.” Blanchard said he learned, as a public servant, that cities can no longer ignore natural flood plains and try to engineer everything like it’s “man vs. nature.” 

“You have to think about how does this sustain itself over the long term — how do I build a neighborhood that 80 years from now still looks like it belongs, still has great bones?” he said.

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