GOOD Ideas for Cities is taking the country by storm, with New Orleans as one of their stops. GOOD Ideas for New Orleans collected a number of problem solvers in the city to tackle some of the most difficult urban issues. The call for creatives— local designers, coders, artists, architects, filmmakers, writers and activists– back in May produced much interest and many talented people looking forward to organizing into teams and moving the ideas forward.
Four teams that have been worked hard over the past two months to solve the four challenges the city presents. Each team will be presenting live next Thursday, July 12th, at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Doors open at 6 pm for the event beginning at 7pm, so be sure to get there early enough to get a good seat. Hopefully everyone has already purchased a ticket because this event is officially sold out!
Hosts Neighborland and AIGA New Orleans have helped make this progress possible. The community leaders on each team include the Bike Easy, Grow Dat Youth Farm, the New Orleans Food Truck Coalition,Transport for NOLA, Broad Community Connections, and the Creative Alliance of New Orleans crew. The challenges are listed below:
The Challenges
1. Getting around New Orleans without an automobile is often difficult. Limited infrastructure for bicyclists, poor quality sidewalks, and infrequent transit service all contribute to this situation. Driving less is a public priority that contributes to improved health outcomes, a better environment, and even a more prosperous city. Bike Easy and Transport for NOLA both work to make biking in New Orleans easy, safe and fun. How can we help make biking in New Orleans a better option for trips around town?
Urban Leaders: Jamie Wine, Bike Easy and Rachel Heiligman, Transport for NOLA
Creative Team: Jay Casteel, Jo Barrios, Joel Carranza, Rosalie Cohn, Tippy Tippens, Brittany DesRocher, Julia McNabb, Kathleen Onufer, Mary Carlton, Ross Peizer, Serena Wales, Brooke Larsen, Chad Cramer, Ness Higson
2. There is lack of affordable, accessible, and sustainable healthy food in New Orleans. Katrina decreased access to healthy food by more than 50%, and racial disparities in access have worsened. To address this problem, Grow Dat Youth Farm invests in the local network of growers, distributors, and professionals through an innovative method: developing the skills, leadership potential, and employment opportunities of New Orleans youth. How can we empower New Orleans youth to educate New Orleanians about healthy food, and help them get healthy food into the hands of those that need it most?
Urban Leaders: Jeanne Firthe, Grow Dat Youth Farm and Jeff Schwartz, Broad Community Connections
Creative Team: Ashley Braquet, Carey Clouse, David Burley, Harry Graham, Jakob Rosenzweig, Sarah Calandro, Susannah Burley, Zach Lamb, Aron Chang, Daniela Marx, Liz Beeson, Paul Richard, Amber Dawn, Brooke Butler, Jeff Gonzales, Kat Arnold, Will Miller
3. Neighborhood street corners across New Orleans are often in disrepair.This neglect can make our blocks feel unwelcoming and unsafe. Constrained by expense and other concerns, beautification of our intersections is seldom a priority. The Creative Alliance of New Orleans works to provide training, education and information to the New Orleans community to protect our cultural legacy and promote revitalization. How can we help empower artists, cultural producers, and neighborhoods to take beautification into their own hands?
Urban Leader: Tori Bush, Creative Alliance of New Orleans
Creative Team: Alyson Kilday, Austin Lukes, Christina Coble, Ella Camburnbeck, Patrick Kelly, Ryan J. Bordenave, Sergio H. Padilla, Jack Milazzo, Juliet Meeks, Zachary Gong, Ze daLuz, Jeffrey Scanlan, Tara Foster
4. Food trucks are an important source of economic opportunity for entrepreneurs of all types. They can also enhance the culinary culture of our city, enliven streets, and provide food options in underserved areas. However, the codes governing mobile vendors are out-dated and overly restrictive, resulting in fewer jobs, less food service, and less tax revenue. The New Orleans Food Truck Coalition is working to educate leaders and stakeholders about food trucks and leading efforts to reform municipal ordinances. How can we help can we help educate people about food trucks or otherwise advance reform?
Urban Leader: Rachel Billow, New Orleans Food Truck Coalition
Creative Team: Jennifer Nathan, Kelley Troia, Maggie Tishman, Mary Louise Killen, Sarah Azpeitia, Barrie Schwartz, Cambria Martinelli, Sarah Baird, Jake Minton, Jules R Goins, Justin Shiels, PJ Rosenberg, Skye Truax