The Urban Bayou

Balancing Natural Processes and Urban Development in New Orleans

Master thesis (2011)

Authors

Contributors

H. Meyer (mentor)
S. Nijhuis (mentor)
W. Wilms Floet (mentor)
T. Schuetze (mentor)
H. Mihl (mentor)
Department
Urbanism and Architecture (Architecture) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2011 Raymond, D.G.
Climate change Building with nature Ecosystems Delta regions Living with water
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Published Date

28-06-2011

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Faculty

Architecture

Department

Urbanism and Architecture

Abstract

The city of New Orleans, like many major global cities, is located within a delta environment at the edge of land and water. One key characteristic of such landscapes is they are dynamic and always changing, with either water encroaching on the land or land building into the water. The challenge for cities in such locations is they must adapt to these ever changing environments if they are to survive. Over the past 300 years New Orleans has embraced the strategy of a war against water: trying with infrastructural might to keep water out by constantly building higher levees, bigger pumps, and stronger flood walls. But in 2005, Hurricane Katrina tragically proved the dire consequences of such an approach. The Urban Bayou explores the possible opportunities when creating a different relationship between the built and natural environments, one that uses water as an amenity and natural processes as an advantage; strategies that not only increase safety but also strengthen the identity and urban structure of the city.