Let the flood plain be
Flood plains absorb water, so they should be kept free of buildings.
Permeable floodplains can be used for parking, recreation, or agriculture. In flood-prone areas like New Orleans, choose materials and design features that can withstand inundation.
Green points
LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify. -H: Up to 10 points available in Location & Linkages (LL-about where build), up to 22 in Sustainable Sites (SS-about what you do with the site once you have it).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions. /ICC-700 Many opportunities for points under Ch. 5--Lot Design.
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
Further resources
Building Science Corp: Building in post-Katrina New Orleans
