New Orleans Response
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Members have been writing CNU and posting messages to list-servs about the role new urbanists should play in helping the city and people of New Orleans recover from catastrophe.
- Glenn Angelle, CNU member and architect calls on CNU to share ideas for rebuilding New Orleans. He notes, "Massive reconstruction will be needed. I urge CNU to make its expertise and that of its members available to the City as redesign will begin soon. This is an opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of residents. " Angelle is located two hours from New Orleans with Angelle Architects.
- Sandy Sorlien shares a draft Op-Ed suggesting the next steps for New Orleans. She discusses the three options for moving forward: (1) rebuild it in the same form, (2) rebuild it in a new form, or (3) abandon it. She argues that the most viable solution is, "[T]o rebuild in the same form, is the only choice true to the memories held by residents and visitors alike, of New Orleans and her lively, urbane historic center and vernacular neighborhoods."
- Stefanos Polyzoides encourages members to look at the larger situation and process of rebuilding. He writes, "As urbanists and environmentalists, we must help conceptualize the entire process of reconstruction and have the courage to communicate it to the Reconstruction Authority in charge of executing the rebuilding of New Orleans. We are useless without broad public and private political support. We are useless if we elevate architecture to a premature forefront."
- David Brain, Associate Professor of Sociology, New College of Florida, writes a reminder that the potential to repeat history is high--rebuilding efforts could turn into "slum clearance" and "urban renewal." He points out that the rebuilidng is more about building healthy commuities and not about building "plantation houses." He writes, "One of the concerns that has already surfaced is the concern that this is a massive 'slum clearance' opportunity that could easily swing in the direction of the old urban renewal projects, making displacement of the working poor permanent. It is crucial that the rebuilding efforts be conceived in terms of the principles of mixed-income communities that the CNU has been promoting. The CNU has ability to link the ecological and the social dimensions of this disaster in solutions that are comprehensive, practical, and effective."
- Kathleen M. Galvin, Architect, PLACE DESIGN IN CONTEXT, suggests reasons for the development of a CNU Emergency Task Force. She highlights the fact that CNU is a central body that brings together a wide variety of voices: architects, developers, contractors, engineers and planners. She suggests that, "An emergency CNU Task Force devoted entirely to this rescue effort, may very well be the type of organization needed to mobilize those same disciplines in the near and long term. The wisdom and expertise of financial investment and planning institutions need to be enlisted as well. [T]his effort should be primarily volunteer in the early design and planning stages. Primary purpose would be to create regional plans, neighborhood plans, site plans and critical building designs."
Donate to the Red Cross
New Urbanism resources on home building and design.
General Information on disaster relief and Hurricane Katrina.
Comments
Nunzio J. Bommarito
December 16, 2005
Create a sense of community Establish temporary tent or RV sites Returning residents are trained to build or rebuild Habitat for Humanity may provide expert advise for Blitz Build weeks to get things started. Local contractors participate, paid for by FEMA All residents will log hours on their neighbors homes and eventually on their own homes. Any one who has participated in looting or other crimes against the general public can be allowed to log hours against their sentance to build panel walls while in prison. Habitat uses a simular system currently. Training can be provided by score,and any one intrested who has skills to share.
Last edited by TeganDowling. Based on work by Steve Filmanowicz and Johanna Nyden. Page last modified on October 27, 2006
