Environmental justice after Hurricane Katrina: A Delphi approach to determining the ethics and future of public housing policies in New Orleans

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study:

This study was designed to gain insight into the ongoing controversy surrounding public housing in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. This approach incorporated the fields of environmental science, public health and disaster management in an effort to better address environmental justice in this population. Secondary data sources from the Brookings Institution were used to determine the relevant importance of this issue. Furthermore, this study incorporated three rounds of questionnaires, using the Delphi technique, in order to examine the opinions and predictions of key experts (professionals and advocates in the fields of environmental law, public housing, disaster recovery, sociology and the like) regarding the ethics and future of public housing policies in New Orleans post Katrina.

Findings and Conclusions:

Key experts unanimously support the involvement of public housing residents in the planning stages of public housing development. Experts consider this issue ethical in nature. They also believe that the right of return for public housing residents is an important ethical consideration in New Orleans and that public housing should be provided accordingly. Respondents express shared concern as to the level that public housing will be restored in New Orleans and whether those units that are restored will be safe and maintained. Disasters occur in social systems, and often highlight the gaps that exist among populations that are vulnerable due to failing systems. By understanding the environmental injustices that have taken place following Hurricane Katrina and moving forward to both correct these policies and reduce their negative impact on populations, this study may provide insight that is transferrable, allowing other communities throughout the world to seek environmental justice as well.