More New Orleans

Being part of the diaspora from New Orleans for the last two weeks has caused me to think about the enormous opportunity enjoyed by the city to reformulate itself with a twenty-first century infrastructure without sacrificing any of the architechtural features that make the city so interesting and significant. But great care must be taken in the planning and no rush to completion should be undertaken without adequate and thoughtful planning.

Engineering flood protection in a city below sea level and with diminishing protective coastal wetlands is going to be a tremendous challenge. Some areas will necessarily be demolished not to be rebuilt.

No less a challenge will be integrating the redevelopment with a realistic social structure that provides schools and transportation for all citizens.

It can be done -- but the powers that be must want it to be done.