Total devastation of New Orleans gives food for thought
The coastal city of New Orleans has still not recovered from the Katrina disaster. It was the first time in recorded history that such a large modern metropolis was hit by a flood of this magnitude. 'The damage was unbelievable and gave all coastal cities major food for thought,' says Piet Dircke, programme director of the Water Division of engineering company Arcadis. As a Dutch expert, Dircke is advising the US Army Corps of Engineers in the reconstruction of New Orleans. 'The total devastation of the city made a deep impression on everyone, as did the inability to communicate and the loss of power. In reconstructing New Orleans, the main question is what can we and other coastal cities learn from this tragedy?' Dircke believes that coastal cities should be more aware of the essential infrastructure such as hospitals and prisons when planning locations. In his opinion, 'lessons learned' should be high on the agenda when discussing the Mississippi delta at Aquaterra. |
 |
