Camille Manning-Broome is recognized internationally for her expertise in resilience and adaptation planning. Her leadership on issues of land loss, coastal community sustainability, climate change resilience and adaptation as well as resident-led community planning has contributed to the transformation of cities, towns and parishes throughout Louisiana. Her work has created knowledge of interest to peers throughout the U.S. and the globe, from South Africa to Scotland to Denmark.
Having spent time in various parts of Louisiana throughout her life 鈥 summers in Natchitoches, graduate school work in lower Plaquemines Parish, and now raising a family in 香港六和开奖历史记录 鈥 Manning-Broome's driving passion is planning for a Louisiana that her kids will be proud to call home. She invests her personal and professional energy into engaging local and state leadership in support of resident-driven planning efforts. Through this work, she prioritizes resilience, equity and preservation of cultural and social ties for all residents, with emphasis on populations facing challenges associated with historical disinvestment, land loss and changing climate conditions.听
We asked Manning-Broome about the work she does with the Center for Planning Excellence and her and the organization's efforts to create a better Louisiana.听
What is the Center for Planning Excellence?
CPEX is a statewide planning nonprofit that supports urban, rural and regional planning efforts in Louisiana. CPEX brings community members and leaders together to provide guidance as they work toward a shared vision for future growth and development.听
How did the idea for changes on Government Street come about?
The potential for Government Street was clear. A conceptual plan for Mid City had been developed decades ago, but there was not a lot of movement toward making that vision a reality. We were determined to test a vision for what Government Street could be. In 2013, this vision became the Better Block BR demonstration.
What was the impact of the day the community came together and made temporary changes to a tiny piece of Government Street?
The Better Block BR led to the state and city announcing a $13 million investment for Government Street. What once was an unsafe and blighted traffic thruway is now a people-centric corridor where art, culture and businesses are thriving.
Camille Manning Broome is the president/CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence.听
Do you only work in urban areas?
CPEX will work with any Louisiana community looking to set a vision for their future through a publicly-driven process focused on land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure and economic development. We have worked in more than 50 communities, from small towns like Jena, to rural parishes like West Feliciana, to coastal communities like Jean Lafitte.
You mentioned that your ZIP code is the biggest determining factor of your health and life span. Can you explain what you mean by that?
Where we live is the most significant predictor of health outcomes. If your neighborhood is safe, has clean air and water, has parks and sidewalks and access to transportation and healthy foods 鈥 you are more likely to enjoy good health. If you live in a place with high crime, pollution, inadequate housing, and lack of access to transportation and grocery stores, you probably lack the resources and opportunities needed to live your healthiest life.
In 2020, CPEX launched its Healthy Community Planning and Design Initiative to leverage the power of planning to reduce the deep health disparities experienced by Louisiana鈥檚 people.
What is Healthy community design and who does that impact?
Healthy community design impacts everyone, but people of color and those in low-income communities bear a disproportionate burden of poor health in Louisiana and are more likely to live in places that make it difficult to maintain good health. Health disparities are especially stark when it comes to race; for instance, the life expectancy of Black men in Louisiana is 69.5 years vs. the U.S. average of 78.6 years.
What do you believe is the next best step to address climate issues in Louisiana?
Building more climate-resilient, adaptive communities happens at multiple levels. CPEX has worked with the Governor鈥檚 Office to build champions for resilience planning within state agencies, assisting them with vulnerability assessments and adaptation actions that address future needs. Building stronger governance processes that take a whole-of-government approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation will be key to a climate-ready future.
You鈥檝e said that this is a transformative time, a pivotal point for Louisiana. What steps do you believe the state and cities should consider next?
Climate change exacerbates our challenges around poverty, social disparities, poor health and flood risk. Louisiana can take the lead on building climate resilient infrastructure and diversifying our energy economy to build wealth for all residents.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act offers a once-in-a-generation chance to develop a built environment and quality of life that will allow us to attract the talent we need and keep the talent we have. We鈥檙e talking billions of dollars to be used for road repairs, public transportation, extreme weather preparedness, broadband expansion, modernizing the utility grid and more. This is an opportunity to break the cycle of never-ending disaster response, support marginalized communities and plan for a better future.
If communities, organizations or individuals have an idea or believe they need your help, what do they need to do to seek help/input from the Center for Planning Excellence?
Everyone at CPEX is passionate about working with communities that are striving to create a more livable Louisiana. Many of our projects have started with an email or a phone call from a community member seeking assistance. If you have a vision for the future of your community, we are here to help. Anyone interested in working with CPEX can find out more by visiting .
Louisiana Inspired聽is a weekly Sunday feature that focuses on people and organizations in Louisiana who are working toward solving problems and making the world a better place. The section is published in 香港六和开奖历史记录, New Orleans and Acadiana. If you know of someone or an organization that is doing exceptional work to make Louisiana better, please let us know by emailing us at聽lainspired@theadvocate.com.听
