VIRTUAL Lisbon Livable Cities

Abstract

As cities contend with the consequences of changing climates, including increased natural disasters, communities need tactics for fostering both social and environmental resilience in their neighborhoods. While the design of new resilient buildings is touted as a common strategy as to how architecture can be used to help places withstand severe weather events, in some sites, the use of sustainable infrastructures in existing building contexts has proven to bolster community resilience. The city of New Orleans has historically faced numerous natural disasters, including hurricanes and flooding conditions. While the effects of such events have often been tragic, various organizations have learned from these difficulties and have created initiatives to make the city more adaptable and prepared. One community group, Feed the Second Line, has developed infrastructural proposals through a program called Get Lit, Stay Lit. Through this program, independent micro grids have been integrated into the existing architectures of local restaurants, allowing the venues to modify their program and serve the community in times of need. Using the Get Lit, Stay Lit program as a case study, this paper explores the way self-sufficient infrastructures can allow for the transformation of existing architectural spaces in urban contexts. How can ordinary but beloved places convert from their day-to-day use to community havens in disaster scenarios? Through examining and documenting these examples of infrastructures integrated into the existing built environment, strategies applicable to other urban contexts can be identified to help make cities more socially and environmentally resilient through infrastructure.