Now what for NO

Rebuilding N.O.

It is estimated that only 70,000 people of the 500,000 or so residents of New Orleans have been able to return home so far. There seems to be no consensus on how to rebuild, what to rebuild or even when to rebuild.

One might think that the planners are waiting to see how many people will be forced by circumstance to let their properties go in foreclosure, so vast areas can be redeveloped without 400,000 property owners putting their two cents in.

Many people will have already begun building new lives elsewhere and will not be willing or able to return to New Orleans. This will be a challenge for re-builders, too.

A situation like New Orleans would also be a good test for a wide use of eminent domain to either not rebuild an area that is at risk of future flooding or completely redevelop other areas.

New Orleans grew organically and haphazardly for centuries. Now a group of planners is going to redesign it. This is a very different process and will have many powerful and vocal interests competing for press time and for a say in the planning.

One thing seems sure. New Orleans will be a tourist attraction as it has been for some time. What shape this takes remains to be seen.

A situation like this is a test to see what voices will be heard and what interests will be served.

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