Lessons for the Gulf Coast

Restoring the communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina will require the largest rebuilding effort in our nation's history. The winning projects in the Sierra Club's "Better Building" report hold valuable lessons for the Gulf Coast. New Orleans, where the storm exposed the fact that thousands of people do not have cars, offers the perfect chance to design neighborhoods to provide many transportation choices. Good design can also make it possible to house people and businesses without destroying the wetlands vital for flood protection. Probably the most important lesson is that the best new development projects consistently require strong input from local residents and are designed to enhance community values, whether that means ensuring affordability or preserving the historic character of the neighborhood.

While plans for rebuilding are still unfolding, there is some good news. In October, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour invited over 100 of the nation's top architects, designers, and planners to brainstorm with local officials and citizens about options for rebuilding ravaged towns. They offered ideas for downsizing big-box stores, designing walkable communities, and developing high quality and affordable housing. Hopefully, their ideas will inspire state and community leaders not just to rebuild, but to rebuild smarter and better.