REHABILITATINGBRADPITT

AMAKEITRIGHTCASESTUDY

BlakeCrow
ShontaeHewlett
ThomasHoque
December8,2015

I.Introduction

NewYorkGovernor,AlfredE.Smith,oncestated,Youwanttogivethepeopleafurcoatwhenwhat
theyneedisredflannelunderwearinresponsetoRobertMosesextensiveplanforparklandand
regionalparkcommissions,requiringa$15millionbond(Goldberger,1981).Witharesolvecomparable
tothemasterbuilder,BradPitt,stunnedbythecitysslowprogression,committedtosinkthatfirst
staketowardsreconstructingaportionofthelowerninthward,twoyearspostKatrinainNewOrleans,
byprovidinghighperformance,affordablehomesforthosemostimpactedbythestormsdevastation.
However,PittandhisprivatelyfundedfoundationMakeItRight(MIR)havecomeunderfireforboth
thelocationofthatstake(supplywithlittledemand)andthepricetagforbuildingfewerhomesthan
otherrelieforganizationsintheareaforthesakeofsustainability.Thecurrentmissionstatementisto
buildsafe,cradletocradleinspiredhomes,buildings,andcommunitiesforpeopleinneed.Althougha
commendableintent,theneighborhooddensityhassufferedundertheconundrumofinvestorsnot
seeingtheearningpotentialinprovidinggoodsandservicestotheunpopulatedarea,whileprospective
buyerschoosetomoveelsewherebecauseofthelackofnearbygoodsandservices(DePillis,2013).Yet,
thecityhasextendedutilitiesandsupporttotheisolatedarea,spent$45millioninroadrepairs,and
hadplanstospend$65milliontoconstructanewhighschool,policestation,andcommunitycenterin
hopesofattractingmoreresidents(DePillis,2013).Thecurrentoccupantshaveseensomefinancial
relief:a$564monthlynote,forexample,substantiallylessexpensivecomparedtopostKatrinarentin
Algiers(MacCash,2012)andcheaperutilitybillsapproximatedat$25permonth(MakeItRight
homes,2015).Mostnonresidents,incontrast,havebeencriticalofthegovernmentexpenditurewith
afewnotsatisfiedwithadesignstylenonreflectiveoftraditionalNewOrleansculture.IsPitts
responsetothecallforsocialequityacaseofthosewhocan,buildthosewhocant(orwont),
criticize?(Goldberger1981)OrhasPittseffortredirectedattentionandfundingawayfrommore
peopleinneed,byfunnelingitintothesustainableredevelopmentofanareawiththeweakestchance
ofrecovery?

ScottCampbell(2012)hasconsistentlyarguedthatplannersarefacedwiththeconflictingvaluesof
democracy,equality,diversity,andefficiencyastheyattempttoreconcilethegoalsofprotectingthe
greencity,promotingtheeconomicallygrowingcity,andadvocatingsocialjustice.(Campbell,2012,p.
413)Inanidealworld,plannerswouldstrivetoachieveabalanceofallthreegoals.Inpractice,
however,professionalandfiscalconstraintsdrasticallylimittheleewayofmostplanners.(Campbell,
2012,p.415)PittsinspiringvisionforthefutureoftheLowerNinehasputforthanhonorableeffort
towardsamodelforsustainabledevelopment,butthequestionreallybecomeswhetherMakeItRightis
vulnerabletothesameconstraintsandifitsproximatetothetarget,theelusiveidealatthecenterof
CampbellsPlannersTriangleofbeinggreen,profitable,andfair.(Campbell,2012,p.415)

II.RacialPastoftheLowerNine

A.LowerNineProfile

TheLowerNine(ascommonlyreferredtobyitsresidents),nottobeconfusedwiththeLowerNinth
WardwhichencompassesboththeLowerNineandHolyCrosscommunities,isboundedbySt.Claude
Avenue,theIndustrialCanal,theBayouBienvenueWetlandTriangle,andtheparishlinedividing

OrleansandSt.Bernard.LakesideoftheLowerNine,aboveNorthClaiborneAvenue,isoneofthefew
areaswhereAfricanAmericanscouldbuyhomesafterWorldWarII,startingatraditionof
multigenerational,blackhomeownership(Baccinelli,2015,p.110)oneofthetopAfricanAmerican
homeownershipratesinthecountry(Baccinelli,2015,p.111).Notascommonlybelieved,theLower
NinewasnotthepoorestorlowestlyingareainNewOrleanspreKatrina,althoughpredominantlyblack
andlowerclass.Lakeview,forexample,aprominentwhitecommunity,hasmanyareaswithalower
elevationthantheLowerNine(Rivlin,2015).However,theareahascommonlyenduredstructural
racism,impactingschools,accesstohealthcare,employmentopportunities,andhousing,andbasic
humanrights.(Mwendo,2012)GiventhedisparityinresourcespreKatrina,theabilitytoadjustto
changesintheenvironmentpostKatrinawascompoundedforthedisadvantaged,revealingoneof
DavidHarveyshiddenmechanismsinthestructuralorganizationofprivatizeddecisionmakingthat
redistributesocialinequalitiesandoppression(Young,1990,p.351352).

OverallMapretrievedfromGoogleMaps

B.BriefHistoryoftheLowerNinthWardDevelopmentSocialEquityvs.EconomicGrowth

NewOrleansisacitywithanextensivehistoryofracialpolitics.centuriesofdifferenttreatment,by
individualsandbyinstitutions,haveleftalastingmarkontheurbanlandscape,withfardifferent
circumstancesforpeopleperceivedtobeofminorityraceorethnicityintermsoflivingconditions,
residentialpatterns,andsocialandeconomicopportunities,particularlyforthoseoflowincome
(Thomas,2012,p.339).Inthe1700sand1800s,theLowerNinewasthebackswampofriverfront
plantationsinpresentdayHolyCross.(Baccinelli,2015,p.110)Inthe1840s,theHolyCross
neighborhood,boundedbytheMississippiRiver,theIndustrialCanal,St.ClaudeAvenueandJackson
Barracks,begandevelopingwhiletheLowerNinewasmostlyalowlyingcypressswamp.Withnarrow

options,emancipatedAfricanAmericansandimmigrantfamilies,insearchofcheapfarmland,movedto
themosquitoladenLowerNineareaenduringfloodingandepicboutsofdisease.(Harvey,2013,p.
284)WhilethelandaboveSt.ClaudeAvenuewaslowlyingandpredominantlyinhabitedbyAfrican
Americans(eitherpoororworkingclass),HolyCrosswasraciallydiverse.

Decadeslater,drainageoftheLowerNinebeganinpreparationfortheconstructionoftheIndustrial
Canal.Completedin1923,theIndustrialCanal,afivemilelong,sixhundredfootwideshippingroute,
connectedLakePontchartraintotheMississippiRiverwhileconcurrentlyseparatingtheLowerNinth
WardfromtherestofNewOrleans,bothspaciallyandsocially.In1965,theBayouBienvenueWetland
Trianglethatonceprotectedtheneighborhoodfromfloods,wasturnedintoopenwaterassaltwater
fromthenewlyconstructedcanal,theMississippiRiverGulfOutlet(MRGO)killedthecypresstreesand
freshwaterspecies.(Baccinelli,2015,p.111)Thearea,nowmorevulnerable,wassacrificedto
accommodateships,navigatingthis76milewaterway,sparingthemfromhavingtotraversethe
windingMississippiRivertoreachsouthernLouisiana(Rivlin,2015).

C.DisastersandUrbanMarginality

AsperHarveyinUrbanIlls:TwentyFirstCenturyComplexitiesofUrbanLivinginGlobalContexts,
disastersareincreasinglybeingusedasanexcusetoexacerbateandextendtheconditionsofurban
marginality.(p.304)InSeptember1965,HurricaneBetsycatastrophicallyfloodedtheareaafteralevee
breachalongtheIndustrialCanal.Itiscommonlyallegedthattheleveewasdeliberatelyblastedbythe
ArmyCorpsofEngineersinordertosparethemoreindispensablewhiterneighborhoods(Snyder,2005),
floodingbetweenthreeandfivefeetofwaternearSt.ClaudeAvenue(nearertoHolyCross)andnine
feetbyBayouBienvenue(theLowerNine)(Baccinelli,2015,p.111).Althoughanunsubstantiated
belief,distrustofthestatedrawsfromthedynamitingofleveesinSt.Bernard,in1927,toeasethe
pressurebytherisingMississippiRiver,whichdisplacedpoorblackandwhitefamiliesinordertoprotect
thewealthysegmentsofNewOrleans.TheleveebreachesduringHurricaneBetsylefttheLowerNine
andSt.BernardParishseverelydevastated,whilehighlyingHolyCrossremainedintact.However,white
flightfromtheHolyCrossarea,whichoriginatedafterthedesegregationofNewOrleansschools,
furtherpersistedafterthestorm,resultinginan87percentAfricanAmericanregionby2000.
Fortyyearslater,historyrepeateditselfwhenHurricaneKatrinafloodedtheLowerNinewithmorethan
tenfeetofwater,pollutedwithoilfromrefineriesthatweredecimatedinborderingSt.BernardParish.
FloodinginHolyCross,comparatively,rangedfromeightfeetoffloodingalongSt.ClaudeAvenuetotwo
feetneartheriver.ThefederalgovernmenthassinceclosedtheMRGO,rulingthatthewaterwaywas
alsoresponsibleforthefloodingoftheLowerNinthandSt.BernardParish(Rivlin,2015).Themajority
ofpeoplewhodiedduringHurricaneKatrinadiedintheLowerNinthWard,whilewaitingtoberescued.
Thosewhosurvivedlosteverything,asmanyoftheresidentshadnohomeownersandflood
insurance.(Mwendo,2012)

ThedevastationfromHurricaneKatrinaappearedtobeacleanslateforthecityofNewOrleansto
strategicallyshrinkthecitysfootprint,exacerbatingthedisparateimpactsoftheflooding.MayorRay
NagincommencedtheBringNewOrleansBackCommission(BNOBC)inSeptember2005.TheBNOBC
LandUseCommitteeproposedafourmonthmoratoriumonbuildinginthemostdevastatedareas,like
theLowerNinthWard,andsparkedahugelocalplanningeffortinwhichtheresidentswouldprovethe

viabilityoftheirneighborhoods.TheBNOBCcommitteepresenteditsplaninJanuary2006,however
manyresidentsonlylearnedoftheproposalthroughagraphic,thegreendotmap,intheTimes
Picayune.TheLowerNinthWardwascoveredingreen,signifyingforceddisplacementwithnoproposal
forresettlement.Infuriatedresidentsandcommunityorganizations,suchastheAssociationof
CommunityOrganizationsforReformNow(ACORN),putpressureonauthoritiesamidstthiswillful
dismissalanddevaluationofthelivesofthosewhoresidedintheneighborhood.Nowthatitwas
politicallyuntenableforthemayortocontinuewiththeplan,Naginrejectedthecommissionslanduse
recommendationsandallowedrebuilding.Shrinkingthefootprintbecamesynonymouswithdenying
thosedisproportionatelyaffectedbytheflooding,acommunityofcolor,therighttoreturn.
(Ehrenfeucht&Nelson,2015,p.141142)

Concurrently,theNewOrleansCityCouncil,predominantlyAfricanAmerican,establishedthesecond
neighborhoodplanningprocesscalledtheNeighborhoodsRebuildingPlan(NONRP).Thisprocesswas
designedsothatresidentscouldexpresswhattheywantedintheirneighborhoods.Residentsbelieved
theirneighborhoodscouldberestored,envisioninganurbanutopia.Athirdrecoveryplan,theUnified
NewOrleansPlan(UNOP)fundedbythewhiteelite,proposedbundlinghouseholdsandbusinessesin
neighborhoodswithhigherresidencyandonhigherground.(Ehrenfeucht&Nelson,2015,p.142143)

TheCityCouncilandLouisianaRecoveryAuthorityfinallyapprovedanofficialrecoveryplanthat
includedallthreeplansalongwithtwocommunityplans.However,largescalelandusechangeswere
delayedwhenthecitylaidoffapproximately6,000employees.Althoughbillionsinfundingwere
earmarkedfortheredevelopmentofNewOrleans,thesefundstrickleddowntolocalgovernment
slowly.Inaddition,cityagenciesfacedstrictlimitationsontheuseoffunds,eventhoughtheywere
insufficientgiventhelevelofdamage.(Ehrenfeucht&Nelson,2015,p.143)

Exposingmorehiddenmechanisms,RoadHome,afederallyfunded,staterunprogramaimedtohelp
strickenresidentsrebuild,distributedpaymentstohomeownersbasedonpreKatrinapropertyvalues,
notactualrepaircosts.Thishousingrecoveryprogramissuedasmuchas$150,000ingrantmoneytoa
homeownertosupplementthedifferencebetweenahomesappraisedvalueandtheinsurance
payments.However,combiningthelowvaluesofpreKatrinaLowerNinehomepriceswiththe
expensiveestimationofrehabbingahouseforapproximately$100persquarefootinpostKatrinaNew
Orleansfurtherincreaseddisparitiesandcementedtheinabilitytorebuild,favoringthemiddleclass
overtheworkingclass,andwhitecommunitiesoverblackones.(Rivlin,2015)Whites,whoowned
homesinmorewealthyneighborhoods,receivedlargerpaymentsthataffordedthemtheopportunityto
rebuild,eventhoughmanyoftheirhomessustainedlessdamagethantheminoritiesinneighborhoods
liketheLowerNine.Additionally,RoadHomedismantledtheareashistoryofAfricanAmerican
homeownershipasitrequiredthatapplicantsprovideproofthattheyownedaproperty,nolongereasy
toproduceashomeshadbeenpasseddownovergenerations(Rivlin,2015).Inmanycases,thelegal
homeownerwasdeceased,havingneverofficiallywilledthepropertytoanyparticularindividual,orthe
propertywasownedbyseveralfamilymembers.(Harvey,2013,p.292)Sansthepapertrail,
homeownersreceivednothingandsubsequentlyrelegatedtheirpropertytoanindefinitestateof
overgrowngrassorstepssituatedinfrontofopenlots(thatonceledtoporches)andillegallydumped
debris.Asuit,chargingthatRoadHomediscriminatedagainstAfricanAmericanhomeowners,was
settledin2011bytheObamaadministrationafter3yearsoflitigation(Rivlin,2015).


PicturetakenonNovember7,2015

TheLowerNinthwasthelastareatohavestandingwaterpumpedawayandthelasttohavetapwater
restored.HomeownerswithoutwatercouldntresideinFEMAtrailersandwithouttrailers,
homeownerswerentabletooverseecontractors(Buchanan,2015).Thosededicatedtotherebuilding
effortsufferedatthehandsofunscrupulouscontractors,whowouldworkforafewdaysandthennever
return,losingsubstantialportionsoftheirinsuranceandRoadHomegrants(Harvey,2013,p.300).

D.BradPittandtheMakeItRightFoundationSilverLiningintheDarkCloud

Ashistorianandgeographer,RichardCampanellawrote,theLowerNinthWardwasfirstonthelistfor
urbannuisances,lastinlineforamenities.(Baccinelli,2015,p.115)Astalledfederalgovernment,
bureaucraticprograms,andnegligencecontributedtothelaginrebuildingtheLowerNine,comparedto
theotherareasofNewOrleansandtheGulfCoastRegion.Theoriginalmasterrebuildingplanhadthe
LowerNinthslatedtobecomegreenspace(Mwendo,2012).Itwasoverwhelminglyclearthatthe
LowerNinereclamationwasunwanted.Theneighborhoodsrecoverycanbecreditedtocommunity
leaders,citizens,volunteers,andnonprofitorganizationsdevotedtotherevitalizationeffort.However,
verylittleoftheheapofoutsidemoneyservedthecommunitysmostbasicneeds:housingand
schools(Rivlin,2015).Shockedbytheslowpaceofredevelopmentduringavisittwoyearspost
Katrina,BradPitt,amodernarchitectureenthusiast,movedtoaction.(MakeItRightHomes,2015)
Inresponsetocritics,offeringnoalternatives,whoquestionedthesenseinrebuildinginanarealikelyto
gethitagain,Pittsaid,Myfirstanswertothatis,talktothepeoplewhovelivedthereandhaveraised
theirkidsthere.Peopleareneedingtogetbackintheirhomes.(Pogrebin,2007)GloriaGuy,the
infamouslyinterviewed74yearoldandfirstbeneficiaryofaMakeItRighthome,hasbeenquoted,
Baby,thiswastheworstdisastertohave,andtheydidnothing,referringtothefederalandlocal
powersthatbe.TheonlypersonwhocamethroughhereandworkedwiththepeoplewasBradPitt.
ThePrinceofWalescamedownhere,andboyhewasinahelicopterlookingatushangingontheroof,
andthenhetookoffinajetandkeptgoing.(DePillis,2013)


Promisinggreenhomesthatwouldnevercostaresidentmorethan30percentofhisorherincome,
Pittinvested$5millionofhisownmoneyandthenfundraisedtherestinanefforttobuild150
sustainablehomesinthearea.Althoughchurchesandotherlocalcommunitygroupstirelesslyworked
intheneighborhood,usinghiscelebritypower,PittdrewmediaattentiontotheLowerNineincreasing
thevisibilityofacommunityonceignored.Formerpresident,BillClinton,attendedthegroundbreaking
ceremonyforthefirstofPittsMakeItRighthouses,builtinanareawherecityofficials,previously,
wouldnotevencommittobringingstreetlightsorstreetsigns.(Rivlin,2015)InJune2008,
constructionbeganandthefirstsixhomeswerecompletedtwomonthslater.Thismomentumwas
inspiredbytwoofthemainMakeItRightbeliefs:everyonehastherighttoliveinahighquality,
healthyhomethatenhancesthenaturalenvironmentandcommunitiesshouldbefullyengagedin
definingtheirownneedsandhavealeadingroleindesigningappropriatewaystomeetthoseneeds.
(MakeItRight,n.d.)

III.MakingitRightRaceandSustainability

A.SustainabilityandEquity

AsreinforcedbytheconstructionsoftheIndustrialCanalandMRGO,onekeysector,drivingtheNew
Orleanseconomy,iscommercialshipping.ThePortofNewOrleans,thelargestinlandportinthe
UnitedStates,operatesasaForeignTradeZone.Asdescribedpreviously,equityhasbeen,historically
andconsistently,tradedoffforgrowthwiththeadditionofinlandwaterwaystoimprovenationaland
internationaltransportationofgoods,disproportionatelyaffectinglowincomeormarginalized
communitiesinNewOrleans,specificallytheLowerNine.Thesedisparitieswereexacerbatedfollowing
naturaland/orsuspectedmanmadedisasters(i.e.leveebreaches).Giventhefewerresourcestoadapt,
thelowincomeLowerNinepopulationwasmoresusceptibletotheimpacts.

JuddKahn,uponobservingpostWorldWarIIreconstruction,oncenotedthatdisasterseemsmore
likelytobegetsubstantialcontinuityinurbanform,ratherthanradicalinnovation.Hispointwasthat
existingcitiesareoftenreplannedthroughpolitics;however,citiesdestroyedarealmostalways
reconstructedontheoldstreetpattern,andtheirdamagedareasarerationalizedwithcommercial
considerationsinmind.(Wilson,1989,p.81)ThiswastrueinotherareasofNewOrleans,butas
previouslynoted,exacerbatedurbanmarginalitytookprecedenceinthelowerninthward,acommunity
ofcolor.Politicssawthecatastrophiclevelingoftheregionasacleanslatetosevertherelationship
betweenpeople(ofcolor)andplace,withnoconsiderationofalternativehousing.Heretoforereckoned
asanopportunitytodislocatethisworkingclasscommunity,thelowerninebecameacanvasforPittto
notonlyreconsidertheneighborhooddesignequitablyandsustainablybutalsoinahighly
groundbreakingway.TargetinggreeninfrastructureandotheramenitiestotheLowerNinewould
capitalizeontheprospecttoredressthehistoricallybiasedenvironmentalburdens.MakeItRight,true
toitsnamesake,wasdutyboundbythesegoalsthat,arguably,wouldneverbedeliberatedbythecity.

Thefoundationbelievesthatdesignhasthepowertoimprovethequalityofaffordablehousingand
bringdignitytopeopleslives.(MakeItRight,n.d.)Thereturnofdignitywascertainlywelcomedasthe
communityhadbeendehumanizedanddismissedbythestateandfederalgovernmentthroughoutthe

rebuildingprocess.CommittedtobuildingonlyLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)
Platinumcertifiedhomes,thenonprofitintegratedstrategiesnottraditionallydedicatedto,or
considereddeservedby,thepreviouslyexpendablelowincomepopulations.Also,byhiringandtraining
localbusinessesandtradespeople(MakeItRight,n.d.),thesustainabilityinitiativeaddressedracial
disparitiesinpovertyandeconomicopportunitythroughthecreationofgreencollarjobs,
encouragingjustsustainability.(Bassett,Green,&Shrock,2015,p.284)Perthenonprofitswebsite,
790NewOrleaniansincludinggeneralcontractors,subcontractors,laborers,skilledtradespeople,
landscapers,maintenanceworkersandprojectmanagersaddedtothiseffort.

B.MakeItRightHomeDesignsandtheParticipatoryProcess

Althoughinclusive,theneighborhoodwasdesignedbymeansofatopdownplanningapproachof
limitedchoicetotheresidents.Overthecourseofmanymonths,Pittandworldrenownedarchitects,
metwithLower9thwardhomeownersandcommunityleadersindesigncharrettes,gearedtoward
rebuildingneedsandcollaborationonhomedesigns.Homeownerschosefrom21designs,including
singlefamilyandduplexhouses,customizingtheirhomestotheirownpersonalstyleandneeds,by
choosingthepaintcolors,flooring,cabinets,andcountertops.(MakeItRight,n.d.)

Theresultingcuttingedgedesignsstrucksomeasgarishlyoutofplace,whileothersdismissedthe
actorsvisionasdoomedtocollapseundertheweightofitsowngrandiosity.(MacCash,2012)The
housesareseentovalueindividualityovercommunity(Culvahouse,p.9).Theprojecttoutsavant
garde,innovative,environmentallysoundplansforsinglehouses,eachroughly1,400squarefeet,all
builtfivetoeightfeetofftheground,withafrontporchandthreebedrooms.ThomMayneofSanta
MonicasMorphosisdecidedonalightweightconcretefoundationanchoredbytwopylons,whichlikea
boat,buoysthehouseiffloodwatersrise.JamesTimberlakeofKieranTimberlakeAssociatesin
Philadelphiafashionedahousewithnativevinesascendingupthesidewallstoprovideshadeand
coolness.StevenB.BinglerofConcordiainNewOrleans,respondedtothecultureoftheLowerNinth
Ward,byenvisagingahousewithwidefrontsteps,perfectforatraditionalcrawfishboil.Hesaid

residentsaskedhimforahousewherethebabycanbesleepingintheback,themamamakingred
beansinthekitchenandthegrandpacanbeonthefrontporchentertainingneighbors.(Pogrebin,
2007)

InaninterviewwithCarrieFischer,AssociateCouncilforMIR,shestated,Ourhomeownersvaryinage
andsodotheirtastes,insomecasesourolderhomeownersleantowardsamoretraditionaldesign
whereassomeofouryoungerhomeownersareeagertotrynewinnovativedesigns,butallhavebeen
openandexcitedtobeapartofsomethingdifferent.Allandalltherehasbeenapositivespiritabout
thedesignsweputforthandhomeownersappreciatethecreativeanddistinctivedesignsand
greenamenitiesforwhichourhomesareknown.Mostnotablyhomeownerstalkabouthowyoucannot
getthesehomedesignsanywhereelseandthataddsaveryuniqueexperiencetobeingaMakeItRight
homeowner.

C.LEEDStrategiesvs.LegislativeandConstructionCostsRoadblocks

LEEDisagreenbuildingcertificationprogramthatrecognizesbestinclassbuildingstrategiesand
practices.(USGBC,n.d.)Buildingprojectsmustsatisfyprerequisitesandearnpointsacrossfivemajor
creditcategories:SustainableSites,WaterEfficiency,EnergyandAtmosphere,MaterialsandResources,
andIndoorEnvironmentalQuality,determiningtheirlevelofLEEDcertification.Buildingscanqualifyfor
fourlevelsofcertification,thehighestlevelandmostdifficulttoachievebeingPlatinum.LEEDisnot
intendedtobeanationalstandardthatsubstituteszoningcodesorcomprehensiveplans.Giventhat
landregulationisprincipallycontrolledbylocalgovernments,LEEDsuppliesvoluntaryleadership
standardsthatcanbeusedtoevaluatewhetherexistingdevelopmentregulations,suchaszoning
codes,developmentstandards,landscaperequirements,buildingcodes,orcomprehensiveplansare
alignedwithsustainabledevelopment.Planningofficialsandtheplanningdepartmentcanbetter
pinpointcodebarriersthatmakeitonerous,costly,orevenimpossibletoundertakesomeaspectsof
sustainabledevelopment,bymakingthisassessment.(U.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,2009,p.xv)
Ifourgoalweretobuildasmanyhousesaswecould,thenwewouldnthavespentsomuchonthe
itemsnotrelatedtoanindividualhouse,TomDarden,thefoundationdirector,said.Wereteaching
otherstobuildthislevelofgreenbuildingweveachieved.(MacCash,2012)MakeItRight,initspursuit
ofPlatinumcertification,hasconsistentlysoughtwaystolessencostswhiletrackinginnovative
sustainablestrategies,experimentingwithmaterialsandconstructionmethods.Perthe20082010tax
formsofthe50homescompletedbyDecember2010,aroughaverageexpenseof$430,000perhouse
wascalculated,notincludinghousesbegunbutnotcompleted.Theseaveragesalsoneglectresearch
anddevelopment,contractortraining,communitygardenconstruction,streetdesignandother
elementsthatordinarilyarenottalliedwiththepriceofbuildingindividualhouses,perDarden.
(MacCash,2012)

Thenonprofithasbeentransparentaboutitsmisses.Reflectiveofthelearningcurveinlocal
sustainableconstruction,geothermalHVACsystems,forexample,arenolongerapprovedduetobudget
constraintsandlackofexperiencedinstallers.Stringentcityregulationshaveprohibitedtheuseofgrey
waterandlimitedrainwaterharvestingsystems(appliedtothefirst25homes).Inaddition,previously
excessivefundingspentonsustainablelandscapeshasbeenlimitedasitwaslearned,inhindsight,that
homeownerswouldmodifytheselandscapesaspreferred.(MakeItRight,n.d.)Themostprominent

andrecentpitfallhasbeentheuseofanuntestedTimberSILwoodproductforexteriorstairsand
decking,whichquicklyrotted.Thecharityhasfiledalawsuit,seekingthecostofreplacingthe
damagedwood,legalfeesandunspecifiedcostsinrelationtoPRdamage.(Graham,2015)

Additionalcutbacksincludedreducingthenumberofwindowsandotherarchitecturalfeatures,
eliminatingslattedsunscreensandotherlaborintensiveflourishes,makingconstructiontechniques
moreefficient,andseekinguniformconstructionmaterialsthatcouldbeusedinalloftheindividual
designs.(MacCash,2012)Asaresult,singlefamilyhomecostshavedroppedtobetween$180,000and
$220,000toconstruct,whiledoublehomescostmore.Theselessonslearnedontheinauguralproject,
inNewOrleans,alsoknownasthelaboratoryforcosteffectivegreenbuilding,arebeingusedto
streamlinetheprojectsforothercommunitiesinneedinNewark,NJandKansasCity,MO.(MakeIt
Right,n.d.)

Othermethodsandmaterials,incontrast,havebeensteadilyeffective.Theinstallationofpervious
drivewaysandsidewalks,minimizingtherunofffrompavedareas,inturn,haspromotedaquifer
rechargeandwarrantedsmallerstormsewersinthearea,whileachievingSustainableSitescredits.The
inclusionoflowflowfixturesanddualflushtoilets,reducingpotablewaterconsumptionanddecreasing
thedrawonwaterbodies,arenotsolelydedicatedtoamassingWaterEfficiencycredits,butmore
importantly,reducingthemonthlywaterbillandeasingtheburdenontheenvironment.Solarpanels
havedrasticallylessenedenergydemands,loweringenergybills,whilehighstandardfilteringhas
mitigatedrespiratoryproblemssuchasasthmaandallergies.Interiorpaint,hardwoodmadefrom
recycledpostindustrialwoodfiber,recycledcarpetmadeofnontoxicmaterials,countertopsmadeof
75%recycledcontentandcabinetsthatdonotcontainformaldehydehavelimitedtheexposureto
VolatileOrganicCompounds(VOCs),furtheralleviatinghealthissueswhileaccruingpointsinMaterials
andResourcesandIndoorEnvironmentalQuality.(MakeItRight,n.d.)Thisisanotherimportantareaof
equitythatMakeItRightisaddressingintheirconstructionofhomes,ensuringthatthesepopulations
thathavehistoricallybeenvictimsofpoorairqualityandotherenvironmentalhazardsarenow
experiencingholisticwellnessopportunitieswithintheirhomesandcommunity.However,these
materialsarenotthecheaperoptionineachoftheirrespectivecategories,thuscontributingtothe
higherthannormalpricetagforconstruction.

D.SustainableIssuesofBrownfieldRedevelopment

HistoricallyintheU.S.,thetrendhasbeenthatifacommunityispoororlargelyinhabitedbypeopleof
color,theyhaveexperiencedlessprotectioninregardstoenvironmentaljustice.Wecontinuetoseethis
trendperpetuatedtodayalongtheregionoftheMississippiRiver,termedbymanyasCancerAlley,
whichestablishedtoxicchemicalplantsprimarilynearcommunitiesofcolor.

DavidTaylorpointsoutinhisarticleRemediation:ABreakintheClouds:RebuildingNewOrleans,
monthsafterHurricaneKatrina,specialistsfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyand
Tulane/XavierCenterforBioenvironmentalResearchcollectedover5,000soilsamplesfromacrossthe
cityandfoundthatsoilleadratesweretestingnear1,700ppm.Suchcontaminationcamefromoldlead
basedpaintthatcoatedhomesexteriors,aswellas,fromleadedgasolineandothersources.In
particulartotheLowerNinthWards14blockplannedareaforMakeItRight,theleadlevelswere

around200ppm,whichisconsideredhalfoftheEPAremediationthreshold.Completedsitesamplesof
theprojectedsiteforMIRfoundthattherewerehigherthannormallevelsofMercury.Althoughthese
levelswerehigherthannormal,theydidnotsurpassthelevelsthatrequirebrownfieldremediation
action.Insteadofallowingtheselevelsofleadandmercurytoremaininthesoilsoftheirsite,MakeIt
Rightdeveloperstookinitiativetoremediatethisinordertostaycommittedtotheirmissionof
providingenvironmentallysoundcommunitiesforpeopleinneed.

Forsoilsthatwereoverthe400ppmthreshold,theremediationprocessrequired6to12inchesofclean
soiltobeaddedoverthecontaminatedsoils.MakeItRightfoundationmadeitapolicytodoublethis
recommendeddepthandadded18to24inchesofcleansoilonitssite.Inherentineveryremediation
initiativeisScottCampbellsSustainabilityTriangleofSustainableDevelopment.TheintentionsofMake
ItRightandtheactualrealitywerethatchildrenintheneighborhoodwouldeventuallyplayinthese
soils;therefore,theyweredeterminedtominimizeanymajorimpactsonchildrenshealthinthelong
run.ThisMakeItRightcaseisananomalytothehistoricaltrendoflowincomecommunitysite
remediation,butisastepintherightdirectionofprogressiveplanningtowardsequitablesustainable
development.

IV.HousingSnapshot

A.MakeItRightHomesvs.OtherNonprofitHomes

ThemajorendeavorthatsetsMakeItRightapartfrommanyotherhomebuildingorganizationsinthe
areaistheircommitmenttobuildingLEEDPlatinumcertifiedhomesthehigheststandardingreen
building.Withsuchgrandiosecommitmentsalsocomesagrandpricetag,relativetootherhome
buildinggroups.Todate,MakeItRighthasbuilt109LEEDPlatinumhomeswithina20blockradiusin
theLowerNinthWard.Asreportedbythefoundationswebsite,atotalof$26.8millionhasbeenspent
onconstructionwithastartingpriceof$150,000.Onaverage,ithastakenfourmonthsforeachhome
tobeconstructed.Ofslightlylesserpublicity,HarryConnickJr.andBranfordMarsalispartneredwith
HabitatforHumanitytobuild72brightlycoloredsinglefamilyhomesand10elderfriendlyduplexes,
whilepreservingtheporchculture,forlowincomemusiciansonan8.2acretractofland(theMusicians
Village)intheUpperNinthWard.Themusiciansthathavemovedinhavebeenabletofinancetheir
homesforapproximately$80,000,payingapproximately$650to$750permonth.Perthewebsitefor
Lowernine.org,theorganizationhasrebuilt75homesinthearea;however,thetimeandconstruction
costswerenotdocumented.CommonGround,foundedbyMalikRahim(aformerblackpanther),only
built10housesintheLowerNinthbeforeshiftingfocustojobtraining,wetlandrestoration,andthe
legalclinicitoperatesintheneighborhood.(Rivlin,2015)Thenonprofit,St.BernardsProjectwas
launchedin2006andhasrebuilt600homesinNewOrleansforlowincomeresidentswhosehomes
weredestroyedbyKatrina.Approachingthe10yearanniversarysincethecatastrophichurricane,St.
BernardsProjecthelda48hourmarathonbuildandcommittedtobuilding48lowincomehomes
within48hours.

ManycriticsofMakeItRighthavebroughtupthehigherthannormalpricetagasanareaofscrutiny.
Whiletheinitialconstructioncostswereoriginallyestimatedatapproximately$400,000perhome,the
organizationhasworkedtodrivethecostofconstructiondownbyhalf.Thehomesarecurrentlysoldat
astartingpriceof$150,000.PerCarrieFischer,thehomesareabletobesoldatalowerpricetagdueto
thegenerousdonationsMakeItRightreceives.Althoughnotaslowastheamountfinancedforsingle
familyhomesintheMusiciansVillage,forexample,thisallowsMakeItRighttobuildatahigher
constructioncost,yet,offeralowersalespriceforhigherqualitymaterials,makingaccesstothesehigh
performancehomesmoreaffordable.

Itisworthnotingthatalthoughthepricepointforasinglefamily,MIRhomestartsat$150,000,
potentialbuyerscanqualifyforupto$75,000indownpaymentorclosingcosts.Ms.Fischerfurther
indicatedthattheMIRHomeownerServicesDepartmentworkswithpotentialhomebuyersto
determinewhichsubsidy,ifany,thehomebuyercanutilize.Therearesubsidiesavailablethroughthe
CitysuchastheNewOrleansCitySoftSecondswhichbasethequalificationonAreaMediumIncome
(AMI).ThesequalificationsaredeterminedbytheCity.InadditiontotheCitySoftSecondprogram,a
homeownermayqualifyforMIRclosingcostsassistanceand/oraMIRForgivableloanwhichcouldcover
thegapbetweenthehomeowner'squalifiedmortgageamount/CitySoftSecondandthesalesprice.MIR
subsidiesarealwaysbasedonneedwhichisdeterminedusingthehouseholdAMIandfunding
gap.Aileneof1735DeslondeStreet,amiddleagedwhiteresident,expressedhersatisfactionwiththe
aidtowardsherclosingcosts.


Overall,thereisnoquestionthattherearevariousotherorganizationsinNewOrleansbuildingata
fasterrateandatlowercostsandpricetagforhomebuyers;however,thereisnotanotherorganization
focusedondevelopinghomeswithsustainabilitysocialequityasitsgoalandmakingfinancial
adjustmentsaccordingly,asidefromMakeItRight.WhileotherorganizationssuchasSt.Bernards
ProjectandNewOrleansHabitatforHumanitybuildtheirhomeswithprimarilyvolunteersupport
(enablingthemtokeepcostslow),MakeItRightiscommittedtoemployingpeopleintheNewOrleans
areatobuildhomesandwillgenerallyseekvolunteerhelpforminorlandscapingprojects.

B.NeighborhoodDemographicsResidentNumbers

MakeItRightswebsitestatesthattheyhavecompleted109ofthe150homesintheirsubdivision.
Withinthiscommunity,therearemorethan350peopleresidinginthearea.Ithasafamilyfriendly
designwithanenvironmentallyfriendlyplaygroundatthecoreofthecommunity,aswellas,
informationontheneighborhoodandgardenlocations.

InitiallyMakeItRightsgoalwastobringthepopulationthatwasintheareapreKatrinabacktothe
communityandfilltheirhomes.Whatwasexperiencedinstead,wasaslowerthanexpectedmigration
backfromthelocalresidents.Criticismsincludethelackofamenities,suchasnearbygrocerystores,
walkability/bikability,andthehighpriceticketforthesehomesasreasonswhytheresidentswerenot
comingback.Asaresult,theorganizationhasextendedthesaleofhomestofirstrespondersandlocal
teachers.PreKatrina,thisareawasapredominantlyblackcommunity,soitisntsurprisingthatthiswas
thedemographicsthatMakeItRightintendedtobringbacktothearea.However,sinceopeningtheir

homestoanewmarket,theMakeItRightcommunityisnolongerfocusedonbuildingthecommunity
withonlytheblackresidentsthatoncelivedhere.Withthehighpricepointforthesehomes,compared
tothecostsofotherhomesinthearea,itleavesthepossibilitythatblackresidentswillnotbeableto
purchasetheremaininghomes,evenwiththesubsidiesofferedandtheslashinsellingcost.AsLeigh
andRossaddressinPlanning,UrbanRevitalization,andInnerCity:AnExplorationofStructuralRacism,
therearemanynarrativesofrenewedexclusioninmoderndaysociety.Thiscontinuedexclusionhas
beenrebornthroughhomeownerassociationrequirementsofcertainmaterialsovercheapermaterials
inthehomebuildingandrepairsprocess,whichweseebeingutilizedbyMakeItRight,however,not
explicitlyasanexclusionarypractice.Yet,thispossibilitystillremainsandcanonlyberealizedasthese
homescontinuetobeoccupiedwewillseewhetherthenoVOCrequirementsandenvironmental
friendlypushbecomebarriersofentrytothelowincomeresidentsoftheLower9thWard,whoMakeIt
Rightstrivestoattractbackandretain.

C.NeighborhoodLimitations

Itisanindubitablerealitythatthelackofamenitiesinthearea,inparticularacommunitygrocery
store,hasaffectedtheinmigrationofresidentsbackintothearea.Insteadresidentsintheareamust
eithertravelover2milesacrosstheIndustrialCanalBridgeintotheBywaterneighborhood(atripthatis
ultimatelydependentuponshiptrafficpassingthroughthecanal,rangingfrom20minutestoanhour)
forasmallgrocerthatdoesnotofferawidevarietyofmeatsorproduceorseveralmoremilesinto
ChalmetteforaWalMartSupercenter.Inadditiontoaffectingtheinmigrationbackintothearea,the
lackofafullfledgegrocerystoreinthelongrunwillcontinuetohindertheeconomicvitalityofthe
area.Thethoughtoftravellingacoupleofmilestoagrocerystoreviacartypicallymaynotresonate
imagesofadauntingtasktothosewhohaveaccesstoapersonalvehicle.However,asmanyofthe
residentsinMakeItRightscommunityandsurroundingareadonothavepersonalvehiclesandare
reliantuponbustransportationand/orbicycling,travellingtwotothreemilesinanydirectionbecomes
ataskthatmustbeplannedoutinadvancewithanexpectedcommutetimenearonehour.

Whilethelackofacommunitygrocerystorestillremainsaprobleminthearea,theresidentsofthe
Lower9thWardhavetakeninitiativesandraisedawarenessforthisnecessity.Throughcommunity
meetingsledbylocalcommunityleaders,longtimeresidentshavecreatedmarketsaccessibletotheir
community,insomecasesmakingverylittletonoprofits.SankofaCommunityDevelopmentsCEO,
RashidaFerdinandhaslivedthemajorityofherlifeintheareaandhascreatedtheSankofaCommunity
Markettoamelioratetheinconveniencesoflivinginafooddesert.Sankofasmarketoffersfresh
producegrownfromitscommunitygardenseveralblocksawayandselectmeatsfromlocalfarmersand
fishermen.Whilethemarketisbringingfoodtothecommunity,itiscurrentlyonlyopenonSaturdayof
eachweek.

FromaninterviewwithMs.Ferdinand,sheexplainedthatsheisnottheonlyoneintheareabringing
freshproduceandmeatstothecommunity.InadditiontoSankofasefforts,residentshavealsotaken
initiativesintheirownhands.BurnellCotloninvested$80,000ofhislifesavingsintorehabbingamarket
intheLower9thWardtoofferfreshfruits,vegetables,andmeatstothecommunityeverydayofthe
week.Whilehismarketcurrentlydoesnotoffereverythingafullgrocerystoredoes,heisopentohis
communitysinputonitemstheywanttoseeinthestore.Hungallthroughoutthemarketaresignsthat

readDontseeit,thenaskforit.ThisendeavorhasledCotlonsmarkettostartcarryingshoes,
toiletries,hardware,andtoys;leadingthecommunitytodubthemarketastheJuniorWalMart.The
markethasgainedforceintheareastrictlybywordofmouthofcommunityresidents.Residents
eventuallybeganrequestingthemarkettoofferpharmacyitems;however,thiswassomethinghe
simplycouldnotsupply.Eventually,thisneedfromhiscommunityledCotlontoreachouttoCVS
Pharmacywhichmayhaveplayedasignificantpartininfluencingthepharmacyinopeningastoreon
NorthClaiborneAveintheLower9thWard.Witnessedinthisanecdoteisthepowerandmagnitudeof
communityplanninginthearea.AsRossandLeighcontendinPlanning,UrbanRevitalization,&Inner
City:AnExplorationofStructuralRacism,communityisthemostimportantforceforbringingabout
changeandrevitalization(Ross&Leigh,2000).

WhileMakeItRighthasdesignedacloseknitcommunitywithintheboundariesofitsneighborhood,it
cannotbedeniedthattheircommunityisdeeplyrootedwithinthelargercommunityoftheLower9th
Wardandtheissuesitfaces,especiallythoseinvolvingtransportationandfooddeserts.Despitethe
boundsthefoundationhasmadeinmakinganenvironmentallysustainableneighborhoodaccessibleto
thepopulationoftheLower9thWard,ithasoverlookedanimportantpartofthisconceptof
sustainabilityinregardstosubstancethatsustainsitsresidentsfood.ThisoversightresonatesJane
JacobsargumentsinTheLifeandDeathofGreatAmericanCitiesthatarchitectureandthebuilt
environmentofparksisntgoingtosustainacommunityalone,butisultimatelydependentuponthe
communityswalkabilitytonecessitiessuchascommunitymarketsandgrocerystores,whereinthecase
ofCotlonsmarket,isalocationofthrivingcommunityengagement.

V.MarketTransformation

A.NeighborhoodCompositionDesign(whowasitfor)vs.Reality(wholivestherenow)

LastyearinaninterviewwithDougMacCashoftheTimesPicayune,Dardendescribedastoryinwhich
anobserverexclaimed,"Wow,whatacoolneighborhood,"insteadofsaying"Wow,suchcoolhouses."
(MacCash(2014),1).So,whatisthecompositionoftheneighborhood?TheLowerNineisahistorically
significantcomponentofNewOrleans.Therefore,itiscrucialthatinrebuildingitwouldbecomposedof
asimilardemographicprimarilylowincomeAfricanAmericans.ItisestimatedthattheLowerNinth
WardsAfricanAmericancompositionrosefrom31to73percent(Landphair,2007)from1940to
1970.In2000,preKatrina,thatpercentagehadincreasedto90percent.

Asweknow,notalldisplacedresidentswereorhavebeenabletoreturntotheirneighborhoods.Still,
theMakeItRightFoundationinitiallyrequiredparticipatinghomeownerstobeformerLowerNinth
residents,whichwouldreestablishthepreKatrinaneighborhooddemographics.Laterthiswas
expandedtoincludeeducatorsandfirstrespondersaswell.Toprovideasnapshot,in2014therewere
79familiesinthecounselingprogram.Ofthese,64percentareformerLower9thWardresidents,23
percentareeducatorsand13percentarefirstresponders.Atthattimetheyknewof6plansfornew
homes:5foreducators,1forapoliceofficer.(MacCash2014)

NeighborhoodComposition
13%

FormerResidents
23%

Educators
64%

FirstResponders

*Basedon2014counselingprogramonly

However,theinfluxofresidentsbasedonoccupationhasthepotentialtoincorporatesomediversityto
theneighborhood,whichwasotherwiseprojectedtoremainthesame.Newresidentsmovingintothe
LowerNinebasedontheiroccupation,withnoconsiderationfortheircharacteristicssuchasraceand
income,canbeexpectedtoincludenewpersonalities.Asimilarmovementisoccurringwiththe
constructionofnewhouses,builtnotinthetraditionalshotgunorbungalowstyles,butratherin
modernshapes.Together,thesetwoshouldcreateajustcity(orneighborhood)aspromotedby
Fainstein.Theadditionofnewindividualsandtheircontributionstothecommunitycouldpotentially
impactthefutureoftheLowerNine.

B.Preservation

PittdescribedtheLowerNinthWardasanarchitecturalfailure.Hesawthedesignoffuturehomesas
thesolution.Aspreviouslymentioned,thiswasaccomplishedthroughtheapplicationof
environmentallyfriendlymaterialsandconcernforbuildingcosts.Toafurtherextent,heconsideredthe
futurecostsexpectedofresidentstomaintainhisstandardswhileavoidingapovertytrap,whichwould
consequentlyexaggeratetheissuesasseenfromtheeffectsofredlining.

OnedesirableaspectofowningaMakeItRighthomeistheopportunitytochooseabuildingdesign
fromhighlyreputablearchitectsfromaroundtheworld.Aconcernariseshoweverwhenaskingifthat
designwillremainusefulanddesirabletofuturegenerations.Apersonallayoutinahighlymodernized
designinresponsetoaspecifichistoricaldisasterisnotlikelytoprovidemuchflexibilitytoafuture
familyoccupyingthespace.Althougheveryonecanbeexpectedtobenefitfromarecentlyconstructed
ecologicallysoundhome,thedesireforauniquelayoutislesslikelytoattractmanypotential
homeownersonthemarket.(Unless,ofcourse,preservationispromotedtoupkeepaplacespecific
attractionforthecomingyearsandcontinuedtourists.)Additionally,ahighlyspecializeddesignfroman
architectontheothersideoftheworldmightbedifficulttoreplicatebyaNewOrleansnativeifdamage
ornaturaldecayweretooccur.Or,ifthehomeownerwereexpectedtoberesponsibleformaintaining

thestructureanditsfeatures,wouldhe/sheevenconsidertryingtoupholdtheMakeItRightstatus
insteadofsettlingforthemostfinanciallyfeasibleandconvenientrepair?Onecurrenthomeowner,
KimberlyRoberts,expresseddifficultiessuchasthese:Thestormisonething,butthenkeeping
everythingtogetherisawholeotherstorminitself.(Ensor,2015)

VI.Conclusion

A.ContributionsLocalEconomicDevelopment,HousingProduction,SustainableDevelopment

Planningisconcernedwithaccommodatinggrowth.Ifanareaisnotgrowing,itisexpectedthata
solutionbefound.Forbetterorworse,inthisinstanceonewascreated.MakeItRightseffortinNew
OrleanstransformedtheLowerNinedisasterzoneintothelargest,greenestdevelopmentofsingle
familyLEEDPlatinumhomesintheworld(Bio,n.d.).Dardenendorsessharingthesuccessesand
failuresbytheorganizationthroughoutitsdevelopmentonthisproject.Theoriginalplanofcreatinga
highlyaestheticareainapreviouslytamepoorneighborhoodprovedtobeamistake.Instead,the
promotionofhighperformance,includingefficiencyandsafety,prevailed.NewOrleanswasthefirstsite
fortheMakeItRightorganization,servingasafoundationforthefuturehopesofotherareasinneed
afteradisaster.Throughthetrialsanderrorslearnedbyitsexistence,thereisanimprovedlikelihood
thatprojectselsewherewillarisefromamorestableblueprint.

B.WasEquityServed?

Atatimewhenthecityanditshardesthitareasneededplanningmorethanever,thecityplanning
departmentwasdepletedtonearlynothingandtheusualplanofleavingtheworstofftofendfor
themselvescontinued.AsthoselikeKrumholzargue,therewasaneedtofightforchange.Asseeninthe
documentaryLandofOpportunity(2010),residents(whopreKatrinacombinetoholdthelargest
percentageofhomeownershipinthecity)demandedattentionintheLowerNinethroughprotestsand
grassrootsfights.OrganizationssuchastheAssociationofCommunityOrganizationsforReformNow
(ACORN)andfederalprogramslikeFEMAsRecoveryRoadsalsohadinfluence.Ultimately,theMakeIt
RightFoundationbuiltmorethanonehundrednewhomesoverseveralblocks.Itintroduced
environmentalimprovements,economicassistance,andnewneighbors.However,asSchrocket.al
mention,socialequityusuallylosesgroundtotheenvironmentalandeconomicalgoals(p.282,2015).
TheCityofNewOrleansisindisputablyguiltyofdenyingutilitiesandassistancetotheLowerNine
neighborhood,notonlyduetogeographicequity,butalsosocialequity.Theareasmajoritylower
incomeAfricanAmericandemographicshouldnothavebeenthecitysconcern.Instead,itshouldhave
approachedrecoveryfromasharedrootsperspective,asmentionedbyZapataandBates(p.247,
2015).Schrocketal.furthermentionthedisregardbypre2009planstoconsiderandaccountforsocial
equity(p.287).NotedbyKTLA(2015),evenPresidentObamainhis2010visitpostKatrinaavoidedthe
roleofracialdisparity.However,inhisfollowupvisitthisyearduringthetenyearmarkofthe
destruction,thepresidentbecamemoreopenaboutaddressingissuesofrace.

MakeItRightsmostlynormativegoalsofenvironmentalandeconomicinfluenceareadmirable,butdid
itdoenoughtorevivetheareaanditssurroundings?InacomparisontoKrumholzsstudyofthe
proposedrailsysteminCleveland(RetrospectiveView,p.4),itcouldalsobeaskediftheproposalwas

evennecessaryasaneffectivetactictotherecoveryeffort.Althoughitreceiveditsfiveminutesof
fameunderthespotlightofcelebritiesdonations,attentiontotheLowerNinescontinuingrecovery
effortsandfuturedevelopmentshouldnotbeforgotten.Thisconsiderationcomesnotonlyinthewake
ofdisaster,butalsofortheinclusionofallneighborhoodsaspartoftheGreaterNewOrleansarea.Asa
nativeNewOrleaniandeclaredinaspeechtotheNationalUrbanLeague,UntilLowerNineisback,we
cannotsaythiscityisfullyrecovered(KTLA,2015).Itisinthepublicsinterestandthereforethe
plannerstoextendequitytoallstretchesofourcity.

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