Reconstruction

Better than a FEMA trailer...and less toxic

Today's New York Times has a feature on Andres Duany and his suggestions for Gulf Coast redevelopment:

He's the man architecture critics love to hate: Andrés Duany, charismatic prophet of the New Urbanism, with his nostalgic prescriptions for dense, walkable neighborhoods energized by stores, mass transit and traditional housing.

Opponents cast this architect as an imperious enemy of progressive design and a threat to the Gulf Coast, where he has been involved in plans to redesign communities that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Reed Kroloff, dean of the architecture school at Tulane University in New Orleans, for example, has referred to Mr. Duany and other New Urbanists as "Svengalis" who "have now seduced Louisiana's hapless governor and been given the keys to the state."

Damn, I forget where I saw this, so apologies for not citing, but critics point to Seaside, Florida as an example of a Duany inspired/designed community that apparently posesses all the charm of an even more manufactured Disneyland than the real thing.

On the other hand, the cottage above--and it's cousin, the Katrina Cottage--look a hell of a lot nicer to me than either FEMA trailers or surburban ranch-styles. And, shifting gears just a bit, Duany and his wife, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, are heavily involved in the redevelopment of downtown Baton Rouge...which certainly got my attention, given that I'm going to be a downtown BR resident (hopefully) for quite some time.

Thus far, I can't complain about the direction they're trying to take my town. As for NOLA, well, I'd be interested to hear what the folks down there think about Duany, Plater-Zyberk, and their proposals--or other ideas.