« Return to RECORD Reveals: New Orleans Since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, a series of ambitious redevelopment plans have emerged and fizzled. These days, the government is taking a more laissez-faire approach. Even before Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters were pumped out of New Orleans, the nation’s top urban planners started weighing in on the devastated historic city’s future. Photo © Kevin R. Roberts Retaining the essence of New Orleans' charismatic vernacular architecture, as seen above, has been a component of many post-Katrina redevelopment initiatives in the city. Related Links: RECORD REVEALS: New Orleans Their motives were generous, but