Shaped in response to the devastating flooding and displacement caused by Hurricane Katrina, Columbia Parc at the Bayou District stands as a lasting example of recovery and renewal in New Orleans. Planned by JHP as urban planner, the neighborhood transforms a once-fragmented site into a connected, mixed-income community anchored by high-quality affordable and senior housing. Designed to support returning residents alongside new neighbors, the plan emphasizes dignity, choice, and long-term resilience. Columbia Parc reflects an inclusive vision for the city’s future and has emerged as a model for equitable, community-centered rebuilding in the post-Katrina landscape.
Columbia Parc at the Bayou District Master Plan
Project Details:
Client:
Bayou District Foundation
Columbia Residential
New Orleans Housing Authority
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Project Data:
- 536 units
- 23.0 acres
- 24.50 units per acre
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Challenge
Originally constructed in 1942, the 1,436-unit St. Bernard Housing Development was rendered uninhabitable by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to severe physical damage, the site’s superblock layout, repetitive housing types, and lack of street connectivity reinforced isolation and limited opportunity. The challenge was not only to replace lost housing quickly, but to fundamentally reimagine the neighborhood as a connected, mixed-income community that restored dignity, choice, and long-term resilience for returning residents.
Solution
Working in partnership with Columbia Residential, JHP led the comprehensive redevelopment of the 23-acre site into Columbia Parc, a mixed-income neighborhood grounded in traditional urban principles. The damaged structures were fully removed and the historic street grid was restored, breaking the site into 17 walkable blocks that reconnected the neighborhood to its surroundings. Implemented in multiple phases, the plan introduced a diverse range of housing types and tenures, including townhomes for public housing, tax-credit, and market-rate residents, as well as a dedicated senior living phase with both building-based and cottage-style residences.
Impact
Columbia Parc is now a complete, award-winning neighborhood that successfully reintegrates former residents while welcoming new households. Recognized locally and nationally—including a visit from President Barack Obama—the community demonstrates how equitable housing, urban design, and phased reinvestment can support recovery beyond physical rebuilding. Today, Columbia Parc stands as a model for post-disaster redevelopment that prioritizes inclusion, connectivity, and long-term neighborhood health. LINKS to Columbia Parc at Bayou District and Columbia Parc Seniors at Bayou District
