Lynn Wilson Astrology

Planning for a New City / An Open Letter for Change

Now is the opportunity for great changes to take place in the development of a better urban environment for our city. There is no doubt that New Orleans and the surrounding areas can and should be rebuilt. But before any reconstruction begins, a comprehensive sustainable strategy for reconstruction and development needs to be in place that acknowledges the distinction of our neighborhoods while providing an alternative to the isolated pockets of poverty that has hindered any real change in our city for decades.

The numerous interdependent challenges that we face require a coalition of planners, policy makers, architects, artists, former mayors of progressive cities (Stephen Goldsmith of Indianapolis and Vera Katz of Portland are two that come to mind), developers, environmentalists, engineers, and landscape architects to study the social, cultural, and physical terrain of one of the most unique cities in our country. Current federal government initiatives are only set up to provide short-term solutions to housing and basic needs, but New Orleanians need to plan for our future.

The major area of concern is the need for environmental controls to prevent a repeat of the type of natural disaster that has resulted from years of neglect. These issues include the reconstruction of the surrounding levees to withstand a category 5 storm, the installation of a new surge protection gate between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain to prevent tidal surges, re-creation of the barrier islands; and the continuing pattern of coastal erosion must be addressed so that the rebuilding of the wetlands can take place in order to preserve the ecosystems and livelihoods that are dependent on them.

Since we are facing the very real possibility that most of the houses between Claiborne Avenue and Lake Pontchartrain, the lower 9th ward extending into St. Bernard, and New Orleans East are beyond saving, how will these homes and businesses be replaced? Suburban models or blocks of multi-family housing complex are not the answer. The idea of an energy efficient city that encourages walking, provides housing and shopping close to work, and an expansion of the success of the streetcar system would be ideal.

We do not have to look far for an example; the Vieux Carre pattern of life offers a wonderful and successful alternative. This model allows for a more humanized density that can be implemented to include live/work areas in order to decrease the need for automobiles. The school system could be reorganized to create smaller schools within walking distance of students’ homes. Smaller class sizes would mean more teachers creating more jobs in the educational industry. This would provide more effective educational models where truly no child is left behind.

Most of the city will require years of planning before any reconstruction or new development should take place, but the rehabitation of the 20% of the area that has not been affected by Katrina must begin as soon as possible. Those of us unaffected can help to clean up and participate in the enormous task of putting things back together and begin the task of planning for an enhanced community for everyone to come home to.

This is either going to be an amazing opportunity to create a new model for a diverse, modern,  socially conscious city;  or “New Orleans” will cease to exist.

We are asking Mayor Nagin to create a series of town hall meetings to bring together our citizens and begin a series of discussions that will lead to the planning and development of our future.

Wayne Troyer and Teresa Cole

waynetroyer@earthlink.net colet7@tulane.edu

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Katrina has made me very aware in a concrete way that we are all one. The outpouring of support from all over the country has been phenomenal. On a personal level my own floodgates have finally broken open. I have been crying/weeping ever since viewing Sunday’s Meet the Press with Tim Russert. He interviewed Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, who broke down while recounting his experiences. FEMA was not missing in action: FEMA/Homeland Security was on the ground turning back supply trucks that had been lined up since Monday morning to bring food/water and fuel into the city (Jefferson Parish is on the western side of Orleans and would have been first to receive these supplies). FEMA/Homeland Security actually cut the lines of communication to the emergency headquarters in Jefferson Parish. Sheriff Harry Lee (ridiculed in the national press years ago for outrageous behavior) came in with armed guards, restored communications and stood guard over the building – protecting it from FEMA/Homeland Security. You can order a transcript from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/

Many of you know of my conflicted feelings about the city. The yankee in me was horrified by the very same qualities that attracted me/others – qualities that supported the growth of great creativity. I know many people who visit the city regularly to get their creative juices flowing again. It’s the city where I metamorphosed from professional horsewoman to astrologer, my profession in each case defining, being defined by, who I am on a soul level. The man who was a catalyst for that change in calling is someone I have always referred to as Mr. New Orleans. This photo in the Austin American Statesman let me know that he had survived the storm: (Austin American Statesman and CNN) Those of you who fly Southwest will know him as The Silver Mardi Gras Man, from an image published in their annual photography contest.   Bob had my chart done by a total stranger when I was in the midst of an unpleasant divorce with an infant daughter to raise, and no property – not a great scenario for someone in the horse business. The experience changed my life and gave birth to the person most of you know today.

My daughter was born in this below sea level city, and she is an interesting gumbo of yankee efficiency and New Orleans’ social grace. She mourns this city that is very much in her bloodstream and soul.

I always referred to the city as having a very valuable role in carrying the shadow for the entire country. When I hear remarks from someone like Dennis Hastert who says we should bulldoze the city I wonder about what happens to our collective soul if we give in to the desire to bury our shadow so easily. I think we have an opportunity as a culture to wake up and truly see the shadow in bright daylight at this point in time. We need to acknowledge the results of the collective fear that has allowed us to ignore the consequences of current social policy: Why is FEMA controlled by the Dept of Homeland Security? Why is any Walmart, particularly one built in the projects, allowed to sell guns? Why have we allowed our right to privacy to be demolished? Why have we financially supported the invasion of another country, spending ourselves into impotence? How will the balance of power shift, now that countries like Cuba are offering millions in foreign aid as well as offering to put their medical personnel on the ground? And the obvious manifestation of shadow that is so evident in the national media – the growing divide between rich and poor. I wonder what Dennis Hastert et al feel we should do with the people they so are clearly uncomfortable acknowledging? Are we able to face our own shadow? I can only hope so. The place that allowed my shadow to surface, be recognized and integrated lies in shambles at the moment and it will take a while for all of us to process and recover.