Date of Award

4-6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Christina Holmes, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Jeanette Pope, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Glen Kuecker, Ph.D.

Abstract

With the rapid rate of climate change, major weather events and natural disasters are predicted to become more commonplace. An understanding of the factors to a community’s economic and social rebuilding can foster resilience against future disasters, even with a changing climate and the slow implementation of climate policy. Hurricane Katrina caused billions of dollars in damages and nearly 2,000 casualties when the storm reached New Orleans in 2005. The lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina can inform resilience efforts and identify gaps in preparedness and protection. An investigation of the historical inequalities that persisted in New Orleans reveals that neoliberal policy and development contributed to the creation of such a catastrophic disaster. Through effective community-designed programs, fostering trust through neighborhood relationships, and investing in the development of leadership qualities for change makers, long-term resilience is possible even in the absence of inclusive policy.

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