Remembering New Orleans: 09.07.05

Hurricane Katrina, and the subsequent catastrophic breaches of the levee system caused 80 percent of New Orleans to be submerged in water, and destroyed more than 182,000 homes in the metro area.  Sadly according to the Louisiana Department of Heath and Hospitals, there have been 1,464 deceased victims of Hurricane Katrina from the state.

On September 7, 2005, eight days after the levees had breached and flooded New Orleans, I was in my office in New York, when I received a telephone call from a prominent architecture critic for a Philadelphia newspaper. She was in the process of writing a story about the sizeable contributions that New Orleans had made to architecture and culture, especially because there were many pessimists from around the country, who said that the city should never be rebuilt.

Yes, remember when that was actually an ongoing debate?

The journalist, who knew that I had lived in New Orleans, also asked me for my thoughts about the city, as its nearly apocalyptic transition took place right before everyone's eyes daily. I had struggled in those early days to articulate my emotions, because I felt like I was in a fog.  Like other Americans, especially ones with a connection to New Orleans, those were extremely painful events to watch unfold.  I can never imagine the enormity of the pain of the people who were directly impacted, whether they lost their homes, relatives, and friends or had to wait for so many days for assistance.  I gave her a few extemporaneous notes, which I jotted quickly before I had a staff meeting regarding of all things, a conference that I was assigned to plan at a luxury resort in Miami (which felt like the worst timing ever).

A few hours later, the architectural critic suggested that I consider composing and submitting an op-ed, based upon my notes, because it might be a perspective that they may have an interest in publishing. I was really flattered!  

However, I nixed the idea of the piece.  While I recognized that New Orleans was a mecca for music, architecture, and fantastic cuisine, I also realized that there is no American city that should EVER have to JUSTIFY being rebuilt, no matter how strong its culture.  

If New Orleans was not rebuilt, it would have set a horrible precedent for other American cities that may face manmade and natural disasters. Cities, and the people who live in them are not disposable.  I'm glad that the residents forged ahead, and chartered their own course, even when initially, there was minimal governmental assistance to make it possible.

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Below are my notes, which I am happy to say were very optimistic regarding the city's future. As I reflect, they were really written from a deep place of appreciation for all that the city had given to me, and what I had learned. Here they are:

New Orleanians have a strong sense of pride in their city, whether they are transplants generations removed, or current residents.   The first lesson that I was amazed to learn from both my professors and people who I would talk to in neighborhoods throughout the city, was about the numerous outstanding achievements that enslaved Africans, as well as the "Free People of Color" contributed  through the architecture, and building trades.  I'd never traveled anywhere else in the country where this story was told. The vestiges of their hard labor, tremendous talent, and care, still survive, and are unique part of the living culture.

933 Rue St. Philip, home of builder and community leader, Jean-Louis Dolliole, a free person of color.

Jazz culture- Trumpet players are legendary in the city, as evidenced by Wynton Marsalis, and now Irvin Mayfield, and Kermit Ruffins.  The jazz tradition is often neatly tucked into off the beaten path clubs within many of the now-devastated neighborhoods, but it is also alive at Jazz Fest.  I hope that music is one of the principle drivers of redevelopment efforts, for fear that this culture will be lost.

One of my favorites: This 104-page book is a legacy of life in New Orleans' historic neighborhoods between two American catastrophes, September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina, August 29, 2005. In simple words and poignant pictures, this book reveals what it means to live in New Orleans.  Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.

Preservation stalwarts- Regardless of race and class, I have met so many people who love to talk about the history of their house, their families, and what makes their neighborhood so special.  These intimate stories transcends anything written within a book, because there is nothing that can mimic the rhythmic, melodic cadence of a New Orleanian sharing their life's journey. Whether it is a second-line parade, their church, their high school or the history about their shotgun house, people truly know about where they live, and cherish their way of life.  Preservationists protect, defend, and sustain the fabric of the neighborhoods that makes the city precious, and keep New Orleans, New Orleans.

 White Linen Night [by MiraontheWall]  How great is this photo?

Social integration- I would hope that New Orleans would be rebuilt because of the fact that there are grassroots and organizational movements that have given New Orleanians access to significant social integration opportunities.  Whether it’s the Bywater Art Market, a monthly open-air curated market started by a neighborhood association, the Crescent City Farmers Market or the annual Art for Arts Sake and White Linen Night, these are events that bring the city together. New Orleans has a great coffee tradition, and coffee shops, such as Rue de La Course and Community Coffee, add to the idea of having the favorite urban planning heralded third place, beyond home and work.

Architecture- New Orleans is a living history museum from the streetcars to the gracious homes, to the vernacular architecture, it is a visual feast.  Where else can people take photos of Creole cottages, shotguns, and Greek Revival mansions all in the same day? I think that is a reason why people from all over the world visit, because it does not really look like anywhere else.

2423 Prytania Street, the Garden District home of John A. Adams.  The baronial cottage is said to have been designed by builder Frederick Wing, 1860-61. [Text quoted from Southern Comfort, S. Frederick Starr]

I do not want to even consider the idea of New Orleans not being rebuilt, because I had an amazing experience there.  I truly believe that it will make a comeback, because there are enough people who will channel their energies to restore it, and hopefully build contextually relevant new buildings as well.  It is probably one of the last American cities that tourists probably feel like they have traveled to another place in time, where it is not overrun with chain stores, and national restaurants that serve the same food that they would find at home. The city has always dared to be different.  It is truly a unique place that deserves support, especially from the design community, because it is a part of our shared American heritage.

Thank you for letting me share these thoughts with you. Seeing the images on TV every night has been quite an emotional experience, but I am so happy that you are writing a story about this!

-Deena Parham, September 7, 2005