The New Possible
Architects and civil engineers innovate to address the challenges of climate change in New Orleans
Climate change affects everyone, but the residents of New Orleans know its impact more than most, since much of the city is below sea level. Explore the work of three professionals helping the city adapt to the new normal. Meagan Williams, stormwater program manager for the city of New Orleans, shares her work with the Hagan-Lafitte project, which captures rainfall in large tanks under public parks. Dan Grandal, a civil engineer with Stantec, shares his work creating blue-green corridors in road medians. And Z Smith, an architect with Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, explains the importance of creating St. Peter Residential, the first net-zero apartment building in Louisiana.
About the speakers
Meagan Williams serves as the stormwater program manager for the New Orleans Department of Public Works, focusing on planning and implementing stormwater management practices citywide through the development of projects, initiatives, and policies. She also serves as the liaison between Public Works and all other sectors and agencies dealing with stormwater management.
Dan Grandal is Vice President & Senior Project Manager with Stantec. A graduate of Tulane University, he is a certified floodplain manager and a LEED-accredited professional.
Z Smith is Director of Sustainability and Building Performance at Eskew+Dumez+Ripple. His work includes academic, laboratory, and residential buildings, including winners of the RAIC Green Building Award and the AIA COTE Top Ten Award. He serves as North American representative to the International Union of Architects (UIA) Sustainable Development Commission.
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