Back from New Orleans and catching up with all things that I couldn't do while I was gone. Learned some things, met some people and am instituting some changes in my business. I think everyone who was there is probably doing much the same.
The city was not as bad as I had feared it would be,but it was not good. Fortunately, the people are determined to keep going. They are as cheerful and friendly as ever and they will continue to make New Orleans a unique and special experience for all who go there. The opportunity to create a demonstration project from a disaster exits right now in New Orleans. The barrier islands can never be fully restored, but the wetlands that protected the city can return to some degree. The port is one of the busiest in the world...New Orleans will not go away unless shipping on the Mississippi stops.
New Orleans is an eminently walkable town. It has (even in its current state) a good public transit system. I hope that the renewal of the city will not gentrify all the desireable areas of the city but will continue to allow the mixture of housing and work within easy walking/biking distance or an easy public transit ride. And please, don't forget to incorporate the arts...New Orleans lives and breathes music and art and it's vibrancy should permeate the recovery. The last night I was there, I talked to a woman at dinner who was there for another conference---Art Therapists.
I am happy that so many people chose to go to convention to help support the recover of the city. Things were not perfect; in some cases, they were barely passable, but they did work and they will continue to improve. With care and planning, good stewardship and hard work, New Orleans will be better than ever.
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