Rethinking Community Resilience: The Politics of Disaster Recovery in New Orleans (Available Now on Amazon, B&N, NYU Press)
After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people swiftly mobilized to rebuild their neighborhoods, often assisted by government organizations, nonprofits, and other major institutions. In Rethinking Community Resilience, I demonstrate that these recovery efforts are not always the panacea they seem to be, and can actually escalate the city’s susceptibility to future environmental hazards.
Drawing upon interviews, public records, and more, Rethinking Community Resilience explores the hidden costs of community resilience. I show that—despite good intentions—recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina exacerbated existing race and class inequalities, putting disadvantaged communities at risk. Ultimately, I contend that when governments, nonprofits, and communities invest in rebuilding rather than relocating, they inadvertently lay the groundwork for a cycle of vulnerabilities. As cities come to terms with climate change adaptation—rather than prevention--Rethinking Community Resilience provides insight into the challenges communities increasingly face in the twenty-first century.