Guide to participatory recovery planning. Useful points include the notion of "thinking big", exploring multiple options for driving recovery, and identifying the "recovery value" for each option.
Blog essay outlining innovative and visionary community recovery planning in response to the April 20, 2004 tornado in North Utica, Illinois. Includes interesting details about effort to bring together diverse funding sources to support the recovery plan.
Article outlining the current resistnace to mitigation measures proposed by FEMA for the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
An "Assessment of the Planning Function in Post-Katrina New Orleans" by a team from the APA, looking at use of the city's master plan in development decisions before the disaster and recommendations for strengthening the planning capacity going forward.
"Drawing on an analysis of New Orleans' recent development history" this report "shows how the region's past development trends exacerbated the catastrophe, and suggests how the region might rise again on a better footing".
Announcement of plan for "rebuilding of the devastated Gulf Coast through the creation of a Gulf Opportunity Zone, a government enterprise that he said would provide help on taxes, housing, education and job training for the victims of Hurricane Katrina".
"... in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some architects and urban planners are contemplating the larger question of what form the city should take - whether restored, reimagined or something in between."
Suggestion for using Christopher Alexander's concept of a "Pattern Language" in a wiki-like way to encourage participatory revision of rebuilding plans toward a consensus view or vision.
