"Olshansky and Johnson gamely dive into the muddy waters of post-Katrina planning to bring us the real story of New Orleans's patched-together recovery. They are unlquely qualified to untangle the puzzling web of competing plans generated through massive neighborhood and a frantic quest for federal funds."---David R. Godschalk, faicp, professor emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Clear As Mud is a masterful work that gives an insider's pespective into the complications and intricacies of planning in a postdisaster context. The book holds lessons planners policy makers, and citizens concerned with redevelopment, regeneration, and renewal anywhere in the world. The authors'understanding and grasp of macro planning issues and micro community issues gives this book power and authenticity that is often missing from academic publication."---Darren Walker, Vice President, Foundation Initiatives, the Rockefeller Foundation
"This invaluable book deftly clarifies the complexity of the multiple planning processes in post-Katrina New Orleans. Sorting out the chronology of contested planning is itself a significant achievement, but Olshansky and Johnson have also produced an account of the design politics that is reflective rather than scolding. This book is an affirmation of the need and possibility for deliberative planning in highly contentious settings. For practicing planners and scholars alike, this is the best account yet available on post-Katrina planning, and it is a significant addition to the literature on disaster resilience--- Lawrence J. Vale, Ford Professor of Urban Design and Planning, MIT; coeditor, The Resilient City
Planning the rebuilding of New Orleans has been among the greatest urban planning challenges of our time. As witnesses and participants, Olshansky and Johnson bring unparalleled detail and insight to the seemingly incomprehensible.
New Orleans had to rebuild its structures and institutions, but it also had to create an equitable and effective community planning structure while addressing the concerns of state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector stakeholders. In documenting this unprecedented process, the authors spent years in New Orleans, interviewing leaders and citizens and abetting the design and execution of the Unified New Orleans Plan. Their insights will help cities worldwide face the challenges of rebuilding and recovering after disaster strikes.
Industry Reviews
This invaluable book belies its title because Clear as Mud deftly clarifies the complexity of the multiple planning processes in post-Katrina New Orleans. Sorting out the chronology of contested planning is itself a significant achievement, but Olshansky and Johnson have also managed to produce an account of the design politics that is reflective rather than scolding. Ultimately, this book is an affirmation of the need and possibility for deliberative planning in highly contentious settings. For practicing planners and scholars alike, this is the best account yet available on post-Katrina planning, and it is a significant addition to the literature on disaster resilience more generally. -Lawrence J. Vale, Ford Professor of Urban Design and Planning, MIT; co-editor, The Resilient City: How Modern Cities Recover from Disaster Clear As Mud is a masterful work that gives an insider's perspective into the complications and intricacies of planning in a postdisaster context. The book holds lessons for planners, policy makers, and citizens concerned with redevelopment, regeneration, and renewal anywhere in the world. The authors' understanding and grasp of macro planning issues and micro community issues gives this book power and authenticity that is often missing from academic publications. -Darren Walker, Vice President, Foundation Initiatives, the Rockefeller Foundation Olshansky and Johnson gamely dive into the muddy waters of post-Katrina planning to bring us the real story of New Orleans's patched-together recovery. As participant-observers they are uniquely qualified to untangle the puzzling web of competing plans-each with its own patron-generated through massive neighborhood participation, Big Easy politics, and a frantic quest for federal funds. -David R. Godschalk, FAICP, professor emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
