Geography, philosophy, and the build/no-build line

Deeply rooted values and perceptions regarding technology, society, place, and the environment inform the passionate debate about the future of New Orleans. This article describes three overriding rebuilding philosophies, and their geographical implications, that have emerged from that public discourse in the year following Hurricane Katrina. It concludes with a commentary on embracing social, cultural, and humanistic values even when the problem at hand appears to be one of science, engineering, and technology.