Ten years ago, the nation watched the near-total destruction of New Orleans, one of its most historic cities. New Orleans’ lifeblood – its citizens – was pushed out by floodwaters, as its poorest residents clung to the city’s sliver of high ground or rooftops that protruded from the dark, polluted waters.
As the city lay almost lifeless for weeks in a sort of induced coma, pundits and politicians began discussing the futility of rebuilding. Some wondered: had the bell tolled for the city of Andrew Jackson, Louis Armstrong, Ruby Bridges and the Saints?
A decade removed from the epic failure of its federal flood protection system, New Orleans’ rebirth is remarkable. About 80% of the pre-storm population has returned. Dozens of neighborhoods have been revived. A new US$14.6 billion flood protection system guards against future major storms. An infusion of entrepreneurs and young professionals place New Orleans at the cutting edge in such areas as education and sustainable building practices.
