“Since Katrina.” You’ll be reading those words a lot in this issue. But they aren’t meant to inspire pity or a sense of mourning. Instead, they should serve as a reminder of the rebirth that New Orleans has experienced in the five years since the storm.
     Out of unimaginable tragedy, New Orleanians — with characteristic tenacity — found opportunity. A truly impressive group of people, businesses, and organizations has been hard at work rebuilding, respecting, and preserving history and tradition while taking advantage of the possibility and freedom afforded by working in a city starting over.
     This issue is a salute to all the people — long-time residents and recent transplants — who have worked tirelessly to remake New Orleans and preserve the magic of this enduring icon of a city. With the oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill just reaching shore, their road to recovery just got longer. But if the past five years are any indication, the city will always rise again.
 
 
 
Fixing the Broken Parts

New Orleans’s unprecedented building boom has schools as its centerpiece. Can a city be remade through its schools?

Read & Discuss.

 
Let Me Charitain You

Measuring artist’s impact on the GulfÐfrom Kanye to Treme.

Read & Discuss.

 
Plan B

With geography and climate change working against it, New Orleans prepares for the future. GOOD assesses its resiliency plan.

Read & Discuss.

 
Love Letters

A collaboration of New Orleans-based artists, the forthcoming Alphabet Book is a snapshot of the city’s unique culture.

Read & Discuss.

 
New Media

How an influential group of citizen journalists and bloggers are keeping New Orleans honest.

Read & Discuss.

 
Graphic Statement

Each issue, GOOD asks an artist or group to set the tone with a visual interpretation of the theme. Here are the results.

Coming soon.

New Blood, Old Blood

In the past five years, New Orleans has seen a massive demographic shuffle. Here is a look at a changing city.

Coming soon.

 
Graphic Violence

New Orleans as a crime scene takes center stage in graphic novels depicting the Katrina-era city.

Read & Discuss.

 
Getting it Right

When Brad Pitt showed up to help fix the Lower Ninth Ward, it raised hope — and eyebrows. Is his housing project what the neighborhood needs?

Read & Discuss.

 
The Eyes of the Storm

In his 30 years of taking portraits, Crum’s motivation has remained the same: conveying something deep and personal.

Read & Discuss.

 
A Better Way

We asked three local design firms to rethink the floodwalls and levees in a way that maximizes community living, creativity, and safety.

Read & Discuss.

 
Project: Six-Word Motto

Help write a six-word motto for New Orleans that captures the city.

Coming soon.

 
 
 
 
In case you’ve never been to the Crescent City, we’ve made this brief guide to the qualities that make New Orleans unique.

Talk Like a Local

These should get you around without sounding like a complete yokel. Read & Discuss.

 

Quick Facts

Population? Area? Industries? Nicknames? Read & Discuss.

 

Time Line

NOLA, from 1718 to present day. Read & Discuss.

Famous New Orleanians

An abbreviated list, both living and dead. Read & Discuss.

 

Katrina and the Oil Spill

Two disasters, both with unique implications. Read & Discuss.

 

Food: What to Eat

From gumbo to muffaletta and back. Read & Discuss.

 

Neighborhood Guide

Algiers, Treme, Ninth Ward, French Quarter — a quick look at NOLA ‘hoods. Read & Discuss.