A gulf of good intentions: can New Orleans rebuild along green, sustainable, affordable lines? That will take serious resources--as well as better cooperation.(SPECIAL SECTION: EMERALD CITIES)

BACK IN NOVEMBER 2005, BARELY THREE MONTHS after Hurricane Katrina, the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Land Institute presented its recommendations for rebuilding a post-apocalyptic New Orleans. One recommendation called for shrinking the city footprint, envisioning new, protected green space in areas deemed unsuitable for rebuilding. With emotions still raw, a city wracked by poverty and racism lashed out at what it perceived as another slap in the face. The public soundly rejected the idea, and so ultimately did Mayor Ray Nagin, who was re-elected a few months later.

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