In flood-prone areas of New Orleans, community-based organizations have been increasing stormwater retention capacity through a community-based approach focused on tree planting and green infrastructure installations. Earth Economics (EE) with a collective of Black-led community organisations from New Orleans analysed the value of existing and planned green infrastructure installations to provide data-driven evidence for engagement with the City of New Orleans and prospective funders to increase installations of community-driven solutions.

The technical report and fact sheet present the findings and serve as a blueprint on how communities can develop their own green infrastructure projects to improve environmental and economic well-being. Small green infrastructure initiatives like barrel systems; rain gardens and bioswales; pervious pavements; trees and retention features in public places can help neighbourhoods mitigate the effects of localised flooding and complement existing stormwater management systems.