Hurricane Katrina revealed how exposed New Orleans is to disasters and made it clear that climate events often affect marginalized neighborhoods like the Lower Ninth Ward the most. As storms become more intense and sea levels continue to rise, it is crucial to build stronger, more resilient communities. This project plans to open a center at Jackson Barracks that will offer resources, improve food access, provide education, create gathering spaces, and give ongoing support. By encouraging self-sufficiency and careful planning, the project aims to help the Lower Ninth Ward community prepare for future climate challenges and preserve its identity.

Beaches and shorelines are some of humanity’s most treasured places. However, sea level rise as a consequence of climate change threatens to erase these communities from the map entirely. And, even in the face of destruction, the choice to leave one’s generational home is a difficult one. I argue that instead of simply running from rising waters, the more proactive solution is to design intentionally in-place, preserving the history of our treasured beach towns. As we grapple with the reality of encroaching tides, this thesis explores the human relationship with coastal inhabitation in the context of the Jersey Shore, and reimagines living near water as living with water.