Brad Pitt’s New Orleans recovery creates world’s ‘biggest green community’

A project helping New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina, fronted by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, will build what's being dubbed as the 'largest and greenest community of single-family homes' in the world.


The post-Katrina housing initiative Make It Right New Orleans has already built 13 homes that meet the highest standards of the US Green Building Council, LEED Platinum, and there are plans in the pipeline for at least 150 more platinum homes.

They will be built in a part of the city nearest the disastrous breech Industrial Canal Levee which wiped out by the neighbourhood.

Speaking at an event honouring social and environmental projects, former President Bill Clinton said: “Make It Right is showing us how we can transform those parts of our nation that have fallen behind the most, whether through neglect, poverty or disaster.

“Make It Right offers a blueprint for how to build homes that instill pride and combine to form communities of hope and opportunity.

“By following the Make It Right model, we can generate the green collar jobs our economy needs to move forward and advance building practices that reduce carbon emissions, while at the same time growing neighborhoods where families can thrive.”

Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the USGBC added: “Through Make It Right we are reminded that our work is not about buildings, but rather about the people within them.”

“In facing our nation’s unprecedented economic and environmental crises, we must change the way the

places in which we live, work, learn and play are built and operated.

“What we’re seeing with green building goes beyond energy-efficiency to a transformation of entire communities – and the lives of the people who live there.

Make It Right has proved that green building can be both affordable and high performing.”

Sam Bond

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe