Home truths from Katrina

Such were the swings of fortunes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina – from initial relief to panic, anger and now recriminations – it will be months before a real picture can be gained on the catastrophe. Estimates for the damage itself remain on an upward curve, with the latest figure being put at the $125bn mark. Given that the time-span suggested for the clean-up is believed to be at least two years (see news) that figure may not be too far off the mark.

In spite of the uncertainty there does appear to be determination to rebuild the main city affected, New Orleans. Question marks were raised over its long-term future given much of the city is below sea level. Yet Louisiana state officials have confirmed a desire to rebuild, obviously tempered by the overwhelming need to redevelop that city and the whole coastal area in the southern states affected by the hurricane with an entirely new thinking on the infrastructure. An optimistic report issued last week by US firm Reed Construction Data claimed a “renewed” New Orleans would emerge, built on “more solid foundations”. Given how well New York responded to the man-made tragedy of the September 11 attacks the ability and desire of the US to respond to such catastrophes should not be underestimated.

One hopes that if the tragedy teaches us anything it is just how important the need is for cities, for any developed country, however rich, to be built on solid foundations. We may point to stronger infrastructure, such as flood defences, existing in the UK, but this is no time to rest on one’s laurels. The growing spectre of global warming, which may or may not have directly caused Katrina, underlines the need for the government and our industry to have a long and hard look below the surface of the built environment.