For many residents of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward who saw their homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the future of their neighborhood is still uncertain. But if people like New York-based ecological architects Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen get their way, it could contain sustainable, community-oriented, and affordable enclaves like their "GREEN.O.LA" vision. Their design, which would house 18 families and includes solar energy and rainwater collection, was chosen from more than 160 entries in a contest sponsored by actor Brad Pitt and Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. Pitt and Petersen are trying to raise up to US $7 million to build the project, which they want to see completed by the end of this year.

Source: Charles Alexander. People to watch in 2007: Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen. Conservation, January-March 2007.