Rebuilding New Orleans

BY JOY MEE

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans evoked images of Mardi Gras, jazz, Creole cooking and great restaurants, antiques, streetcars, historic mansions, and riverboats. Even though flood analysts had made clear that the city was at risk if a major hurricane were to hit or if the levees that protected it were damaged, the city made no changes. But since Hurricane Katrina damaged around 80 percent of the city in late August, 2005, it's been struggling to come back.

Now the question is: Who will come back? And what will they be coming back to? Will the new city be stronger and wiser? Many have already taken measures to minimize the risk by building stronger and safer homes, but the rebuilding and city planning effort continues.

Joy Mee is a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a Counselor of Real Estate—and a Christian Scientist. She retired as Assistant Planning Director for the city of Phoenix in 2004 and formed her own land use consulting firm. The Sentinel asked her to share her thoughts and prayers about the steps that are needed to rejuvenate the city of New Orleans.

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