Present Conditions in New Orleans

Since having part of its identity changed forever by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans has made significant progress rebuilding. The local economy and tourist revenue are revitalized. In 2010, 8.3 million people visited the city, and New Orleans was ranked as the top U.S. nightlife destination by "Travel and Leisure" magazine. Tourists spent a record $5.3 billion there in 2010.

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is proud of the city's current standing. In fact, the CVB said that "the visitor experience today is better than it was prior to Katrina." There are hundreds more restaurants and new cultural attractions, including more than 100 art galleries throughout the city. Additionally, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to rehabilitate the city, including the Superdome and the Convention Center.

'Voluntourism' Big in New Orleans

This turnaround would not have been possible without the huge outpour of volunteer support. Individuals were eager to help directly after the disaster, and New Orleans still calls for the help of volunteers.

The CVB is making a push for "voluntourism," which is when tourists and visitors spend their time volunteering. In addition to everyday volunteer opportunities such as assisting the disabled, the CVB stresses the importance of Katrina-related voluntourism. This includes helping to restore nearby wetlands, helping to rebuild neighborhoods and homes, and planting trees to help replace the 100,000 lost during Katrina.

New Orleans Today

As New Orleans residents continue to rebuild, many are taking precautions to ensure that building materials are safe and environmentally friendly. Make It Right, the nonprofit organization founded by actor Brad Pitt, has these principles at its core. It is using all new environmentally sustainable materials to build 150 affordable, high-quality homes in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. As of May 2011, the organization has completed half its goal and reached 75 homes. Unlike the structures destroyed by Katrina, these homes have no threat of asbestos exposure.

Other organizations have very different goals. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore and the Salvage Store, run by the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, both stress the importance of recycling. Such organizations emphasize reusing materials not only to reduce environmental impact but also to preserve the physical history of the city. These organizations collect donations of used building materials that are still in good condition. Donations include reusable items such as doors, light fixtures, plumbing materials and lumber. Also acceptable are roofing materials, plywood, tiles and other materials that often contain asbestos if they were made prior to the mid-1970s.

Prepared for Emergencies

New Orleans is well-prepared for future emergencies. The region no longer relies on the flood infrastructure which failed during Hurricane Katrina. Instead, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put into place a complex system to protect against flooding and hurricanes. The system includes levees, barriers and drainage pumping stations.

Show Your Support

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