Hurricane Katrina caused the relocation of nearly 1 million gulf coast residents. The high winds and storm surge inflicted severe damage to coastal regions, but the greatest destruction occurred in the City of New Orleans. The flooding caused by the levee failures produced a level of destruction that is unprecedented in United States history.

The objective is to contribute to the rebuilding surrounding region with emphasis on infrastructure systems and the potential for applications of new technology to facilitate reconstruction efforts.  Specific objectives of this forum include:

1. To convene a multidisciplinary group of world-class experts capable of addressing the broad infrastructure systems needs of New Orleans and the region within a social, economic and public policy context
2. To identify short-term and long-term actions, including technology innovation, needed to assist and guide the rebuilding efforts.
3. To demonstrate, in a disaster-recovery context, the important linkage between infrastructure and community rebuilding, including such factors as land use, heritage preservation, and broader community goals.
4. To identify technology-related lessons learned from the Katrina experience that can be applied in other locations and for other natural disaster/infrastructure disruptions.
5. To document and disseminate the discussions and findings of the forum to provide an informed context for various stakeholders who will engage in setting priorities and public policies for rebuilding New Orleans through:
1. Applying interactive web-based information technology that allows participants to communicate before, during and after the forum in a manner that insures a continuing dialogue among major stakeholders.
2. Developing a report that can be distributed to stakeholders and interested parties.
3. Creating a base for developing educational modules for use by students.

Much of the infrastructure should be re-engineered to ensure that the city is economically sustainable, secure for investment, safe for its residents, and able to withstand future natural disasters. The investment strategies adopted and the infrastructure technologies applied could present a global example of how a 21st century city can grow and adapt to its surrounding environment. We have an opportunity to glean lessons from this tragedy, but also to employ technology in concert with forward looking public policy to create a new and prosperous New Orleans, while at the same time respecting the history and culture of the region.

Schedule of events: http://rebuildingneworleans.ce.gatech.edu/schedule.php