Aaron, that is a beautiful piece that captures what has proven to be a difficult phenomenon to explain. With hope, Asheville will step up and fight its way back. As devastating as this is for all of the different interests that make Asheville be Asheville, it is the opportunity to build back better. LC Clemons tells a story of two neighboring towns that were hit by devastating tornados and how, in the one that had a strong community, everyone came together immediately to help each other rebuild, while in the other that was really just a sprawl zip code, the people were sitting waiting for someone to come save them. My bet is that Asheville has that community that is already overwhelming the supply train, the system, and even one another with their enthusiastic commitment to make sure that this gets done.
Sadly, the lessons of Katrina suggest our systems won’t let this be rebuilt incrementally. Insurance premiums will rise substantially. Mortgages will have to be refinanced. Codes will require upgrades. All that contributes to the area likely either lying totally fallow or rebuilding without the incremental nature we both adore. Sure hope I’m wrong, but right now we just aren’t wired as a society to do it in a fashion that enables creation of places like this once the formal authorities get involved.
The ideas and writing in your piece are exceptional! The piece that’s missing is environmental. After the ‘04 flood, as people rebuilt the District, I wondered what was different this time, what would protect the community from floods. As it turned out, nothing was different.
Unless environmental ephemerality is endemic to incrementalism, it feels like the District needs to be reconceived in a place that’s not a flood plain. The fierce grief of this terrible storm does not seem like a guest we want to blithely allow into our midst, ever again.
(I live in Landrum, SC, an hour south of Asheville. Your father is one of my dearest friends. I’m so glad he shared your piece; your writing is inspired and inspiring.)
Aaron, that is a beautiful piece that captures what has proven to be a difficult phenomenon to explain. With hope, Asheville will step up and fight its way back. As devastating as this is for all of the different interests that make Asheville be Asheville, it is the opportunity to build back better. LC Clemons tells a story of two neighboring towns that were hit by devastating tornados and how, in the one that had a strong community, everyone came together immediately to help each other rebuild, while in the other that was really just a sprawl zip code, the people were sitting waiting for someone to come save them. My bet is that Asheville has that community that is already overwhelming the supply train, the system, and even one another with their enthusiastic commitment to make sure that this gets done.
Indeed, strong humans are the pre-requsite of reconstruction.
Strong humans naturally build great places, and great places in turn build strong humans.
I have faith it will be back. I am just not sure how.
You are completely right, but you mean 2024, not 2004, I believe
Indeed, we fixed it right after publishing. Thank you.
So sorry, Aaron, I hope you and your loved ones are safe
Sadly, the lessons of Katrina suggest our systems won’t let this be rebuilt incrementally. Insurance premiums will rise substantially. Mortgages will have to be refinanced. Codes will require upgrades. All that contributes to the area likely either lying totally fallow or rebuilding without the incremental nature we both adore. Sure hope I’m wrong, but right now we just aren’t wired as a society to do it in a fashion that enables creation of places like this once the formal authorities get involved.
Indeed. The best thing North Carolina and Asheville can do is get out of the way.
River Arts would be an extraordinary candidate for an "Emergency Pink Zone" right now.
Where's Duany when we need a hornet's nest to be smacked?
The ideas and writing in your piece are exceptional! The piece that’s missing is environmental. After the ‘04 flood, as people rebuilt the District, I wondered what was different this time, what would protect the community from floods. As it turned out, nothing was different.
Unless environmental ephemerality is endemic to incrementalism, it feels like the District needs to be reconceived in a place that’s not a flood plain. The fierce grief of this terrible storm does not seem like a guest we want to blithely allow into our midst, ever again.
(I live in Landrum, SC, an hour south of Asheville. Your father is one of my dearest friends. I’m so glad he shared your piece; your writing is inspired and inspiring.)