LARGE SCALE URBAN EXAMPLES When discussing the future of rebuilding the devastated areas of New Orleans, it is helpful to examine previous example of large scale urban areas that were overwhelmed by disaster. Two such examples studied are Greensburg, Kansas and Dresden, Germany. Each of these areas had experienced a large scale catastrophe that resulted in widespread devastation. As a result they were forced to develop master plans of how to rebuild the city.
Greensburg, Kansas
-GREENSBURG, KANSAS
In Greensburg a massive tornado wiped out 95% of the buildings in the downtown area. Their master plan evolves around many “green” sustainable features such as a “green corridor” that will stretch around the city’s exterior and increase density in the city’s “downtown core.” Although Dresden’s destruction came from a much different source, their rebuilding process represents an even bigger challenge. Much of the city’s progress following WWII was slowed by communist rule that did not place rebuilding as a priority. Very meticulous care in the reconstruction was made and after the transfer of power in 1991, more progress was made.
CONCEPT
BACKGROUND
Dresden Germany
-DRESDEN, GERMANY
Positive Features
Positive Features
-Building Zoning -Downtown core -First ring residential (two family) -Second ring residential (single family homes -Variety of housing options -Green trails/ corridors were added -Technology of material/sustainability -design competition added interest and media attention
-Original pieces of brick and stone etc. were able to be reused on such buildings as the Frauenkirche -A similar road system and location was used when building the new streets -In addition to the historical grid, new bridges and nodes were added
Negative Features
Negative Features
-Functionality to residents -Opportunity for tornado damage to happen again -Location in Tornado Alley -Lack of transportation plans
-Length of rebuilding time (much of the reconstruction was stretched out over a long period -A renewed building agenda occurred after 1990, when the GDR was nally overturned.
CONTEXT
ANALYSIS
PROGRAM
PRECEDENT
STRATEGY
21