When asked about Katrina, most recognize the failure of the levees. While failure usually connotes negativity, these past 20 years suggest notable positives from the hurricane.
Reconstruction led to a reimagining of the city. The rebuilt levee system became a fortress, protecting us for the future, and community groups and voluntourism emerged to create stronger public, private and nonprofit partnerships, all vital to recovery.
With population displaced, the public school system was overhauled, and the city welcomed the increase of charter schools. New Orleans’ post-Katrina transformation exposed vulnerabilities, reshaped neighborhoods and prompted rebuilding efforts that continue to influence us today.
– Betsie Gambel, Founder, Gambel Communications