Just over a year ago, New Orleans suffered a terrible tragedy when Hurricane Katrina submerged 80 percent of the city.
As the debate rages on as to how the city should be brought back, the planners are missing a huge opportunity to propel New Orleans to the forefront of technology. The planners of New Orleans should bring in the best to create a plan to reconstruct the city as a modern example for all other cities to follow.
I would invite Frank Gehry, Mayor Ray Nagin, Blaine Kern and Donald Trump to the meeting in which ideas could be discussed. The topic of discussion would be rebuilding New Orleans, La., a place where I lived for eight years and since the hurricane, have developed strong opinions about the way it should be rebuilt.
The main objective would be to create a new central business district, infused with modern technology and a visible connection to the arts and music that are deeply ingrained in the city's culture.
Frank Gehry's whimsical style woven into his modern architecture would celebrate themes like music and art. Ray Nagin, as a representative of the city, would discuss his objectives in designing a city that is "flood-proof." Blaine Kern (Head of Mardi Gras World, Inc.), the creative and business "force" behind Mardi Gras, would represent the interest of tourism and tradition. Finally, Donald Trump would help the city financially maximize the economy both internally and through tourism.
Since flooding is a yearly event and tropical systems are common, the city must be able to function without dry land. Flooding is part of everyday life and the city should be planned in a way that it would never again cripple its functionality.
In this "modernized" New Orleans, an emphasis on environmental friendliness would be a major goal. Electric monorails would run down every street, with each major building having a hub and connecting bridges to smaller buildings. As an all-purpose mass transit system, there would be no reason for cars or motorboats to enter city lines, thus reducing the pollution. Since the roadways would no longer be necessary, trees and parks could then replace them, encouraging a very pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Lobbies of buildings would be on the same floor as the monorail stations for easy access. Because everything would be raised, the city could function with little interruption, even if it were submerged in a few feet of water.
New Orleans could go well beyond the commitment it made toward the Kyoto Protocol: The carbon dioxide emissions would decrease considerably. With these modern, environmental improvements, New Orleans' tourism industry would skyrocket, and other cities would be forced to follow suit.
The style of architecture would reflect the spirit of the city with buildings designed by Gehry using themes such as music, food and New Orleans' rich history. It is important to note that, while the downtown area would get a major facelift, the French Quarter and the Garden District would not be touched, as they are the historical centers. The architectural brilliance of the city must be preserved in these areas. New Orleans would rise past its previous stature as a great tourist destination and become the model for cities of the future. The architecture displaying the culture that makes the city unique should be the mainstay of the skyline.
Together, these four men could come up with a brilliant plan that would re-energize the city. The culture of New Orleans and the festive vibe that is rampant through the French Quarter would be felt throughout the downtown area. The new plans would restore a sense of pride vital to the city's continued growth as an important port city in this country.
Adam Frank is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.
