Neal Peirce reviews the flurry of rebuilding ideas taking shape in Katrina-ravaged areas.
Ideas have included: "...grind up storm debris to raise elevations, turn the main coastal road into a beachfront boulevard, pull major retail back into the historic city centers, build high-speed regional rail connected to local streetcar systems.
The charrette's most captivating idea: a compact (308 square feet) and affordable ($35,000) "Katrina cottage" designed by New Yorker Marianne Cusato -- big-windowed, one-bedroom structure with four bunks, ingenious storage space, faithful to Southern architectural traditions and built with quality materials -- a compelling alternative to FEMA trailers."
"And dare one say it -- could FEMA speedily release of all its advisory data on base flood elevations? And keep updating it? Then there'd be more grounds for debate and action on whether -- and how high -- to rebuild damaged homes, and where future federal flood insurance will be available."
FULL STORY: Katrina paradox: Calamity but fresh ideas
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