Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina became a tragic turning point in New Orleans’ history. Today, the city is fundamentally changing its approach and launching a large-scale project to create the largest network of resilience centers in the United States, powered by solar energy. These spaces have been given the symbolic name “Community Lighthouses.”
Their purpose is to ensure that every resident can reach the nearest “lighthouse” in no more than 15 minutes on foot. These are multifunctional community centers managed by the residents themselves. During power outages, they continue to operate — providing cooling, device charging, access to drinking water and essential supplies. In emergencies, the “lighthouses” also provide psychological and humanitarian assistance.
The “15-minute city” concept, used in large cities for convenience, here becomes a matter of survival. With solar panels and an autonomous power supply system, New Orleans is aiming to ensure that the mistakes of Katrina are never repeated. The project brings together civic, religious and volunteer organizations across the state and is becoming a new model of resilience.
