My nola

Creating a brighter future for New Orleans Youth

5: French Quarter & Treme

This video follows a young boy named James as he moves through Treme and the French Quarter. Like many kids in New Orleans, James cannot afford bus fare every day so he is forced to walk. We follow his emotions using music and expressive lyrics. James moves through his city and experiences different moods and emotions in different areas. Some areas are happy songs, and other areas are songs that question one’s safety. James goes through a rollercoaster of emotions in a single day. 

At the beginning of the day, he feels on top of the world, as we move deep within the city, his mood changes. He starts to doubt himself and questions his relationship with his neighborhood. The goal for James and his neighborhood is to provide smooth transitions and one place for James to access resources without having to move across the entire corridor. Neighborhood markets and neighborhood transits could be the solution that this corridor needs. These neighborhood markets could help solve the food, health, and safety needs that currently exist. Proposing transits that stop at places like hospitals, clinics, grocery stores, daycare, etc. could solve frustrations for many New Orleans children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdma20a7OI

Academia

What is Academia?

Academia is the schools and learning communities within the city. It is innovation for a better future for the children.

 

In New Orleans, there are five key stakeholder organizations; United Teachers of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana, Algiers Charter School Association; and Moir Ray Nagin’s “Bring New Orleans Back” Education Subcommittee. 

Most of these stakeholders are associated with the academia of New Orleans. These Stakeholders were a big part of New Orlean’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. These five stakeholders were analyzed on their effectiveness with their public statements after Hurricane Katrina. 

Starting with Unite Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO). Groups within the community suggested to UTNO that the schools’ redesign should precede the reopening of the schools. The [resident of UTNO insisted “that all attentions on the resumption od instruction”. The UTNO leader did not want to make any drastic changes to the school system and “should be put off until a later date”. The union forced the school district to reopen some schools in the district. The UTNO failed to listen to the community and made decisions only for their benefit. 

 

Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) is an important influencer in the lives of the New Orleans’ children. Before Katrina hit, there was already a distrust between the community and the district due to the loss of 71 million dollars of federal funds that went unaccounted for. At the first meeting, the OPSB had proposed to open their schools on November 1st, but the board failed to reach its goal due to financial problems. They pushed their opening date to November 15th, yet thy didn’t manage o open their schools until November 28th. This was three days before the state came in and took over 102 out of the 117 campuses in New Orleans. 

 

The State of Louisianna stepped in 6 weeks after Katrina hit. State Leaders saw this as an opportunity to rebuild the “underperformed” New Orleans school system. They knew that the system was already flawed and took over 102 schools in the community. Thes failing schools were run by a state program “Recovery School District”. This program would have until May to come up with a plan of action for the 102 schools. The people in New Orleans were in agreement with this system. They knew that some change would come from the State level since New Orleans Boards were not trusted anymore.  

 

Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA) petitioned the board to build charter schools in the less damaged areas of West Bank. They approved the building of one school and handed over control of 13 public schools to ACSA. They were also given a 22.6 million budget to open eight schools. They were critiqued about not having the basic skills for teaching applicants, but they were running schools better than the rest of New Orleans. 

Led by Mayor Ray Nagin, the Mayor’s Bring New Orleans Back Education Committee (BNOB-ED) created seven committees to guide the city after the storm. They created the “educational network model” that would address the inequity of the old system. While creating the new system, the State stepped in and took over the schools. BNOB-ED had to present its system to many different groups. The plan was ignored, but the city may implement portions of the plan in the future. 

These important stakeholders have done what they could to mediate the New Orlean’s school system. The public is worried that New Orleans will fall back to their old system and old ways. Clearly, what was done in the past was not working and will never work. Currently, there are schools that are running experiments with different educational systems, to see which one the students adapt to the best.

 

 

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ784847.pdf

SAN DIEGO, CA

San Diego Fighting Climate Change

San Diego is one of the cities that is getting hit with coastal climate control. San Diego is facing many challenges. Their sea levels are rising, causing pollution in the oceans. There are water shortages and floods constantly. This is because there at 16% fewer rainy days, but there is 8% more rain during storms causing floods. Once the sea levels rise, it takes any chemicals that humans waste causing pollution to our oceans. San Diego is dealing with many heat spells. Which then turn into wildfires. The population seems to be in issue in San Diego due to its popularity in attractions. San Diego is starting to see a high demand for housing, that does not yet exist. Additionally, there are many greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the air from cars and trucks polluting the area.

 

Changes/Solutions

  • Abandon suburban developments in favor of building denser urban communities
    • Very expensive, only 76% out of reach for families making <%95,000
    • Widening highways
    • Large master plan communities far from urban job centers
  • Housing built around transits
    • New rail lines around commuter corridors
  • By 2035 San Diego hopes to use renewable resources for 100% of the city’s electricity

 

 

San Diego Action Plan

The city of San Diego has taken multiple steps in the right direction to combat their climate change problems. In 2006, Former Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave an executive order to establish a statewide goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but 2050.

This started the statewide multiyear reduction program where San Diego was taking lead in tackling California’s climate change.

 

Safety as a Priority

Some things that the city of San Diego have identified actions that will contribute to the City’s future prosperity and quality of life include:

  1. Furthering San Diego’s leadership in clean technology industries: renewable energy, information technology, manufacturing, and waste management.
  2. Creating the “City of Villages” come to life with walkable and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, while also revitalizing neighborhoods. All while retaining their individual character.
  3. Promoting active transportation and rapid transit systems to help improve the accessibility of the vulnerable in the city such as children, elderly, people with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged.
  4. Fostering programs to create well-paying jobs. Implementation of the CAP will increase the demand for high growth “green” industries.
  5. “Building communities that are resilient to climate change through the identification of vulnerabilities and the corresponding implementation of adaptation measures. These measures are intended to protect public health and safety; secure and maintain water supplies and services; protect and maintain urban infrastructure and community services; protect environmental quality; maintain open space, parks, and recreation; support coastal management and protection; promote urban forest management and local food production; improve building and occupant readiness; and enhance community education, knowledge and collaboration.”

 

 

San Diego has come up with 5 Strategies to reduce greenhouse emissions:

        1. ENERGY & WATER EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
        2. CLEAN & RENEWABLE ENERGY
        3. BICYCLING, WALKING, TRANSIT, & LAND USE
        4. ZERO WASTE: GAS A& WASTE MANAGEMENT
        5. CLIMATE RESILIENCY

 

Art and Design in the Solution

There are many things that Art and Design professionals are doing for the city of San Diego. There are several groups in San Diego that have many different types of professionals working together to combat climate change. For example, planners are working with designers to create a climate-friendly city. This involves urban design planners, engineers, and landscape architects to create a space that will not only be resilient but also look aesthetically pleasing.

Below are two groups that focus on the community needs, inform San Diego about Climate Change, and host climate change events:

  • Climate Kids
    • This is a program that educates kids on climate change and is very active in SD
    • Explore Outdoors- Field trips to Cabrillo National Monument, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego Zoo, Batiquitos Lagoon
    • Climate artwork shop where art is displayed at the Art of Change art show
    • Hands-on Science lesson with regional scientists and experts from various disciplines; regional research projects
  • San Diego 350
    • Global Climate Walkout
    • Art Climate Walkout- kids, adults, elders make signs to carry for the walkout
    • South Bay Eco Justice on Tap
    • Addressing Climate Crisis through Meditation and Action

 

Sources

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/story/2019-06-22/climate-change-california-affordable-housing-crisis

https://sandiego350.org/

https://www.climatekids.org/san-diego

https://www.climatesciencealliance.org/buildingresilience

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/final_july_2016_cap.pdf

CHILD FRIENDLY IN SAN DIEGO, CA

Replicating a Child-Friendly City

Let’s define “Child-Friendly”

A child-friendly city is a place where children:

  • Experience equality in social services, education, and a clean environment
  • Have a good start in life: healthy, safe in the community, cared for, protected from violence
  • Live in a safe space: access to green spaces, places to play, and clean neighborhood
  • Participate in family, cultural, and community social life
  • Have a fair chance in life regardless of their ethnic origin, religion, income, gender or ability

 

Why San Diego was voted the Most Kid-Friendly City in The U.S.

 

1. “San Diego has the most playgrounds per capita in the country”

San Diego’s parks place among the top for the best parks in the country.  Additionally, San Diego has beaches and a Botanic Garden that have also placed in the top ten for the countries best! San Diego has access to many parks, beaches, activities for the children. It is filled with several kid activities such as the A new Children’s museum park, several splash pads, water parks, Tidepools, and Birch Aquarium.

 

 

 

2. “Thriving Food Scene”

San Diego has many restaurants and places that accommodate any age group. Not only do these places accommodate people, but they also accommodate allergies. There are many vegan, vegetation, and gluten-free restaurants in San Diego. There are also restaurants from many different cultures such as Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Salvadorian, American, Creole, etc. San Diego makes is possible for kids to have alternate choices with eating healthy and explore other cultures’ goods.

 

 

 

“Accessible City”

San Diego has access to many bike paths through-out the city of San Diego. Not only are these bike paths available, but they are also deemed safe for children of all ages. Most of the paths are wide and tucked out of the way of traffic. The paths come in many sizes. This ensures that you can still have a bike experience, even if you have younger kids. Historic Old Town is a walkable town with a courtyard in the middle. This town will help you indulge in the Mexican culture that is dominant in San Diego.

 

 

 

“Fair chance in life regardless of their ethnic origin, religion, income, gender or ability”

There are many free and cheap things to do in San Diego such as scavenger hunts, local splash pads, Sunny Jim Sea Cave, Legoland, Seaport village, Hiking trails for kids, museums, and the list goes on. There are endless amounts of activities for kids in San Diego. There are all throughout the city, so kids can have access regardless of where they live. Most places in San Diego offer free admission to kids or reduced. There is something for everybody in the city of San Diego. Whether its hiking, playing, swimming, biking, learning, art, etc. San Diego has a place for every need!

 

San Diego’s Current Youth Projects

  • Kids4PlanetEarth
    • Kids write letters to President Trump about climate change and conservation in honor of Earth Day
    • Give kids a voice in the community
    • Provides awareness to through the community with a strong voice behind it
  • Climate Kids
    • This is a program that educates kids on climate change and is very active in SD
    • Explore Outdoors- Field trips to Cabrillo National Monument, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego Zoo, Batiquitos Lagoon
    • Climate artwork shop where art is displayed at the Art of Change art show
    • Hands-on Science lesson with regional scientists and experts from various disciplines; regional research projects
  • Climate Walk-out
    • High school student organized a walk to raise awareness
    • It is a global event taking place September 20th
    • Students across the globe will be marching across their communities in hopes of creating momentum in the current climate change issue

 

                             

Sources:                                                                                                          

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/92375554-132.html

https://www.sandiego.org/articles/family/best-family-bike-rides-in-san-diego.aspx

https://redtri.com/socal/san-diego-voted-most-kid-friendly-city-in-america/

https://childfriendlycities.org/what-is-a-child-friendly-city/