Building Trust Through Small-Scale Planning Reports and Studies
 

Led by Andy Rumbach and Shigeru Tanaka, two graduate planning students at Cornell University, more than 25 students and faculty participating in AHUP traveled to New Orleans where they assisted ACORN Housing crews in "gutting" more than two dozen residential homes and community facilities, including churches.

In late February, Cornell University organized several classes designed to collect and analyze data needed to advance ACORN's recovery efforts in the 9th Ward:
 

• Historic Preservation Workshop
  Students did an analysis of the history, evolution, current physical condition, and adaptive re-use potential of the St. Roch Market. This workshop produced a 150-page report that has been used to generate interest among public and private funding agencies in transforming this abandoned structure into a vibrant retail-vendor food market that could offer local residents high quality, low cost, and culturally appropriate food items.
   
• Environmental Planning Workshop
  Students examined alternative approaches to storm water management that might reduce the risk in the 9th Ward from future storm activity.
   
• Urban Design Studio
  Students investigated the topography, soils, infrastructure system, and historic land uses to determine alternate approaches to reweaving the 9th Ward urban fabric following Katrina.
   
• Policy Analysis Seminar
  Students developed an economic and managerial model that could be used to determine the most cost-effective approach to combining paid and volunteer labor on house "gutting" and "rehabilitation" projects in the 9th Ward.

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