Press release from Thrive Asheville:
Thursday, March 6th @ 7pm
Planning for Recovery and Rebuilding: Lessons from New Orleans
Stories of Recovery Planning from Katrina with Steven Bingler
Recovery is for all of us. As Asheville moves forward after Hurricane Helene, we must ensure our planning processes lead to real outcomes—ones shaped by our voices, our passions, and our communities of interest.
Join us for an inspiring evening with Steven Bingler, the visionary behind New Orleans’ Unified Recovery Plan after Hurricane Katrina. Steven will share how a truly community-driven approach reshaped New Orleans when early top-down recovery efforts fell short.
Beyond compelling stories from Steven, we’ll hear from local innovators who are leading equitable and realistic recovery efforts right here in Western North Carolina—including Chimney Rock’s “Raise the Rock” initiative and small-area resilience planning in Swannanoa. Pontificated with a participatory arts activity by public artist, Emily Clanton.
🔹 What You’ll Gain:
✔️ How small, localized plans can unite into a powerful, community-led strategy
✔️ Why deep community engagement is key to long-term rebuilding success
✔️ How Asheville can apply these lessons to ensure a resilient and equitable future📍 Free & open to the public
📍 ArtSpace Charter School, Swannanoa (US Hwy 70)
📍 Ample free parking availableLet’s learn from those ahead in this process and bring forward a recovery that represents all of us.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
— Thrive Asheville, AIA WNC, & MountainTrue’s Appalachian Design Center
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Join Us in Strengthening Asheville and Buncombe County’s Recovery
Thrive Asheville’s Lessons for the Recvoery series brings expert insights to our community, sparking collaboration and encouraging local voices to shape a thoughtful and resilient recovery. Your support makes these events possible. Join us in this exciting journey to guide our region’s future—donate today!
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