Introducing the Atlas of Inspiration

The Atlas of Inspiration is a national database that highlights real projects helping communities adapt to extreme weather, flooding, heat, and sea-level rise. It showcases innovative infrastructure, planning strategies, and funding approaches that can be adapted or scaled by other communities. The Atlas is designed to celebrate successful ideas and give decision-makers examples they can use when seeking state or federal funding.

The Atlas is fully searchable, allowing users to browse projects by type, climate hazard, or location. It builds on Rebuild by Design’s earlier work including the Atlas of Disaster and the Atlas of Accountability by showing not only the risks communities face, but the solutions that are already making a difference.

One featured example is Bayou Greenways 2020 in Houston, Texas. This project creates more than 150 miles of connected trails and 3,000 acres of green space along Houston’s bayous, improving public access to nature while reducing flood risk throughout the region. More information on the project can be found at: https://rebuildbydesign.org/projects/bayou-greenways-2020/

Rebuild by Design also invites communities to share their own climate resilience projects for inclusion in the Atlas. Submissions help expand the collection and highlight new approaches being used across the country. Projects can be submitted through Rebuild by Design’s website.