“There are few limits to what can be achieved when
people work together for their mutual benefit” – Roseland and Soots, State of the World 2007
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Lower Manhattan without electricity
-New York Magazine |
In the wake of talking about if Hurricane Sandy stimulated
conversations about climate change, I think back to how New York City residents
reacted to Hurricane Sandy. I am extremely grateful that none of my family and
friends were hurt (although many displaced for a many days) when
Sandy hit the city, but now I get to hear stories and see pictures of how the
disaster has and will change the city and other affected areas. This week's reading on rebuilding the local economy got me think how communities come together to rebuild their economies, especially after a diaster.
Even through a simple guilty-pleasure feed, people
are showing how New Yorkers pulled together at times of need. Similar pictures surfaced after 9/11. The city of New Orleans banded together after Hurricane Katrina. As Americans, we do a pretty good job at
helping others when they need it the most.
But what does the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy have anything to do with the local economy? Plenty. NYC Comptroller, John Liu,
predicted the aftermath of the storm is causing the city up to $200 million a day in lost economic activity. Just imagine the dollars lost simply from the closing of Wall Street. How can the city pay
for all the damage caused by Sandy? Is this a question that is worth asking
here? I can’t argue that the city’s local economy is less than poor, and there
are probably funds to help the city rebuild, but NYC is still
$200 million shorter each day. Lost revenue from unopened shops and
restaurants. Emergency contracts costs such as ambulettes, oxygen tanks, and
ready to eat meals all costs money. Not exactly strengthening local economies. But is it?
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Electronics charging through a portable generator
-USA Today |
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| Free Tacos! |
Local economies ins't simply growing financial capital. Roseland and Soots talk about improving other types of capital: financial, natural, physical, economic, human, social, and cultural. After a diaster, I simply see rebuilding a community so these other capitals can grow as well. Social
media became the main outlet for those in affected by the Hurricane to let their family and friends
know they were okay. Facebook friends are still notifying me that their
apartments are still without electricity and water. And without a doubt,
someone will immediately offer their home, albeit no electricity or heat, but
at least one can take a hot shower. I admire others who have extension cords
hanging over their fence to offer electricity to those who need to charge their
phones. Multiple restaurants were offering free meals to those who have no
access to hot foods. A doctor even saw patients for free. Think about the
$50-$100 extra energy bill these people would have to pay to charge strangers’
phones. Think about the additional $200 dollars restaurants may have to expend to feed those who were hungry but without a stove to cook on. These
acts of kindness aren’t exactly ones that help the local economy grow monetarily, but they directly build the local community. Roseland and Soots talk about using community
capital as a way of community economic development, and these acts were a sure
way to use what little resources the city had immediately after Hurricane Sandy,
and distribute it far and wide. Cities can’t have strong local economies
without strong community interactions. And when NYC can come together and provide
basic needs, I call that a stronger city.
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| Before & After Sandy Shoreline in Brick, NJ |
Neighborhoods and businesses located along the
Jersey Shore also took a massive hit from Hurricane Sandy But will the
state rebuild the ‘unthinkable wreck’ of the Jersey Shore, knowing fully well that extreme weather will be more
likely in the future, and that the shore is perhaps one of the most vulnerable
place in the state? Is it worth the time? Is it worth the money? One business couple plans to spend an estimated cost up to $600,000 to rebuild their business. Other residents simply claims they has faith and that “we’re from Jersey. We’ll rebuild, and things will be good
again.” Of course, rebuilding will need
to come with re-evaluations of zoning requirements, such as relocating homes
further inland, but the Jersey Shore is expected to bounce back; this was not
their tipping point.
Those affected by Hurricane Sandy won’t give up on
their neighborhoods and city. This is what resilient communities are all about. And this is what I say improving local economies are all about. Don’t give up on an area simply because it was battered by mother
nature. Rebuild. Reconnect. Use the resources you already have. Be sustainable.
Focus on the community. And then we
can grow better from there.
While I am happy that extreme weather events like Katrina and Sandy can start discussions on climate change- and I hope they are serious discussions and don't just ebb and flow with the news cycle- to me the connection between storms and community development is much stronger and I really like that you took your blog post in this direction.
ReplyDeleteLast year I heard a talk from a Japanese social scientist about the 2011 tsunami, and gaging the viability and speed of rebuilding based on metrics of community awareness before the storm. It is no surprise that communities that are more engaged before the storm rebuild faster and more throughly afterwards, and events like Sandy really show that once you lose basic utilities and transportation all you have to lean on is yourself and your neighbors. If climate change does mean we will see more extreme weather in the coming decades, perhaps this is a good reason to pursue an adaptation strategy by building stronger communities and becoming closer with those around us.
What has been most troubling to me in coverage of Sandy was reflected in Carter's TED talk we watched in class today. The most prominent photos of people banding together are in more secure, established neighborhoods. I've seen more pictures of Manhattan, and it took focusing on South Bronx in class today for me to realize--I have NO IDEA how the storm impacted the other three boroughs of the city. (I have friends in Manhattan & Brooklyn who've given me updates so far.) Our thinking, even in restoration, is still gentrified. We focus on the well known skyline and allow ourselves to remain oblivious to the rest. And this sort of thinking will ALWAYS hinder sustainability. Lame sauce.
ReplyDeleteI love your quote "These acts of kindness aren’t exactly ones that help the local economy grow monetarily, but they directly build the local community." To me, it is not always about money. You connect with others when you go through an emotional challenge together and that is what makes a community stronger. How strong is community where you don't even know your own neighbors? Who can you count on then? I am sure a lot of the NY and NJ residents did not know their neighbors before, but they sure have shared a lot (the experience and either electricity/water) now.
ReplyDeleteMary- I appreciate your post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at pictures of Long Island, and all the destruction that has occurred I keep wondering how we will rebuild. While I am very thankful none of my immediate family was hurt during the storm, I still know a number of people who were displaced because of the flooding and are without power (still). Many people still lack the basic resources they use on a daily basis to go about their lives; gas is especially in short supply. Every time I go on Facebook I read about the 30+ line of cars waiting for gas, the fist fights breaking out, and the price gauging at the pumps. I am reminded of the lack of sustainable transportation options on Long Island, and one of the key drivers behind my sustainability project. Although New York is ripe with the social capital you described, I feel like this disaster has brought the focus to all the other forms of capital we are lacking. Maybe Sandy has created a situation where communities can rebuild with sustainability in mind? I sure hope so.
Glad to hear none of your family was burt by the hurricane. Those pictures you included were great and really put things into perspective for those who have not been through a disaster like that. Although, I’m not sure I would go to a doctor who uses a cardboard sign to attract customers. But it is great to see people come together to help one another. This unity needs to exist always and everywhere regardless if a natural disaster struck. This disaster certainly was devastating but it does provide an opportunity for some good. We’re always talking about how to improve the sustainability of a city and what sustainable cities are composed of. Damaged buildings can be revamped in a sustainable fashion and if some parts of the city are damaged bad enough ideas such as a nodal center and complete streets can be implemented. Some of the strategies that are used to achieve LEED ratings can be implemented as well. More parks and greenspace can be incorporated. Some of the debris materials can and should be used, perhaps for fires or to make woodchips/sawdust, instead of being sent to a landfill. I like how you point out that the acts of kindness won’t help a community grow monetarily but does help to build the local community. I would be interested to see if in a few weeks or months if people return to the places that some sort of aid/service was given to them and they repay the favor with money, a gift, or exchange a service. That would be a great display of community cohesion.
ReplyDeleteIt is compelling and fascinating to see how New Yorkers are adapting and coping with this situation. As you and others have said, it really reveals the importance of community in the sense of being connected to, helping out, and depending on your neighbors. Another insight from this disaster is the way it reveals the weakness of our transportation and energy infrastructure and the viability of alternatives.
ReplyDeleteI believe Bill tweeted this article last week about the usefulness of bicycles when the subway is shut down and traffic in gridlock: http://www.good.is/posts/an-overlooked-survival-tool-the-bicycle/.
I was also fascinated by the images of people sharing their electricity with extension cords, or using microgeneration to charge phones through a bicycle or a camp stove (http://biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/). I think this highlights the need to move towards distributed and microgenerated energy as opposed to the centralized grid.
Mary, great post. I think you did a good job explaining how the community aspect comes into play with many of these natural (and unnatural) disasters. My own family actually was fortunate enough to have power for the past few days, and thus have had a number of families staying with us to shower, sleep, and eat hot meals until their power comes back. The only thing that my friends and family have been saying about the storm, is just how sad it is for all of the members of our community who were effected. And I agree, it most definitely is a terrible thing to have your home washed away, or the main floor of your home destroyed from flood water damaged.
ReplyDeleteHowever as terrible as it is, I also see this as an opportunity for growth. This storm has brought the idea of climate change as an issue of safety and security to the forefront of the thoughts of my family, friends, and community members. People are beginning to realize the importance of the issue as a whole. And while I think Long Island has a long way to go on the path to "green," I think this may be an important wake-up call for how imperative our immediate action is, as a local community and as a nation.
This is a great post--and this outpouring of kindness really speaks to the development of community capital in the Roseland reading. Big cities often have a reputation for their cold/rude people, and lack of the close-knit communities you find in smaller towns. But this shows that isn't the case. I am particularly struck by the generosity offered to strangers.
ReplyDeleteLike the photos, here is another feel good story about people offering rides to strangers to meet the 3-person quota for entering Manhattan via car: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/11/hitchhikers-guide-new-york-city
Great post! i agree that despite the physical and emotional changes, residents could rely on their community for these small acts of kindness. In situations like these we realize we are a community as a whole and that when we work together keeping our minds and hearts open, we can work towards a good cause. There can definitely be some good coming out of this. I like that you touched on rebuilding with the resources they already have. Making use of what they have and being sustainable can definitely help them save while they try and pick up the pieces. No doubt, it will not be easy.
ReplyDeleteLet me start off by saying I do think New York itself should be rebuilt, and better defended against any such repeat disaster as best as it can. And then follow up on that by just shaking my head at the more Easterly parts that are ill equipped and improperly placed to begin with. I have an odd liking of the Jersey coast, and considering how often I mock Jersey that's saying something. Now for the life of me I can't remember which reading it was that talked about ignoring nature but I have a hard fact that the entire East coast is going to learn the hard way, most of the go to locations from the Jersey coast down to Hilton Head are built on things called barrier islands. These are naturally occurring landforms that are meant to protect the land behind it, by taking the brunt of a storm. There's a reason they're out in the water, normally not attached to land, they're fed by currents that attempt to replenish them and are supposed to be expendable for the sake of the inland.
ReplyDeleteAm I saying we shouldn't rebuild the East coast? No, well not entirely. I am saying we shouldn't spend billions trying to rebuild on a landform designed to do something we will then have to spend even more money on to essentially create the same thing in order to protect it naturally occuring one. You'd essentially be building a wall, to protect a wall. Redundancy at its finest.
Mary - great post. So glad to hear that your friends & family are all OK. Certainly current! To avoid redundancy from our bright classmates' reflections, I will add a thought and a question. I agree with your commentary that social and community capital are INCREDIBLY valuable and important in community development (yes, the reading reaffirmed this), and Megan made an interesting observation regarding the "gentrification" of social and community response. So, with these in mind-how might we govern, measure or incentivize communities to give social capital the weight it might deserve in development in both bad times, but equally, in non-disastrous times? We see how great communities can be when faced with tragedy, but is there a way to make sure this is "togetherness" and capital is apparent more consistently? Just a thought. Also - LOVED the buzz feed.
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