Neighbourhoods Still Deserted

The New York Times has run some excellent articles on the Katrina aftermath this week.

These include articles on the forthcoming failure of the school system. The city apparently claims that more students have returned to school the system can't cope. I don't understand why they were taken by surprise; Nagin is constantly hyping the fact that so many people have returned.

Today's article discussed the fact that as many as 40% have not returned at all, while many of the rest are on the brink. Unless the tourist and convention trade don't return by the end of the year, many will go under. This is a little later than we predicted earlier this year, but it is disturbing nevertheless. This data seems somewhat at odds with a report that came out later in the day that suggested sales tax is at 75% of the Katrina level. This report obviously pays a much rosier picture than things really are; this does noone any good. Paying sales tax to contractors to gut your house doesn't mean the base economy of the city is vibrant.

The third article I found of particular interest underpins the problems in New Orleans as a whole. They reviewed the rebuilding efforts in various neighbourhoods. The article, while acknowledging the current status is somewhat disturbing, painted an optimistic picture. However, their graphics were more reminiscent of what you see when you travel around New Orleans. The Times showed the status of homes across a few blocks of Lakeview, Broadmoor and New Orleans East. While this was not the whole neighbourhood, they are likely reminiscent. Below is my analysis of the data they provided:

Lakeview

Torn down 15%
No progress 40%
Gutted 35%
Renovation 9%
Resident 2%
Trailer 9%

Broadmoor

Torn down 0%
No progress 29%
Gutted 42%
Renovation 9%
Resident 20%
Trailer 48%

New Orleans East

Torn down 1%
No progress 2%
Gutted 73%
Renovation 13%
Resident 10%
Trailer 18%

In summary, one year after Katrina rebuilding is not occuring in 91% of Lakeview, 81% of Broadmoor, and 77% of New Orleans East. This is not encouraging. Many people I'm sure are waiting for their cheques from the government, but how many will be ready, willing and able to move forward. We still need a plan. Nagin has gotten into hot water again this week for criticising progress at Ground Zero in New York 5 years after 9/11. While he may be, in many ways right, there is an important difference here: very few people live at Ground Zero. Rebuilding in New York is a matter of pride, rather than necessity. Nagin and the city planners need to develop a sense of urgency yesterday, or these struggling neighbourhoods will be forced to give up and die. We can't let that happen.