“The recovery of greater New Orleans represents one of the great urban achievements of our era,” writes Joel Kotkin in the executive summary for the new report, written for Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Among the reasons for New Orleans’ rebirth after Katrina, Kotkin cites the ”transformation of the civic culture” and demographic trends: “[The] region finally began to reverse a demographic decline that, for a generation or more, saw young, educated people and families depart for other locales to seek out a better life. The concentration of 25 to 35 year olds has increased far more quickly in the region than it has in the nation as a whole. Indeed since 2007, New Orleans region has experienced the fastest growth in educated population in the nation.”
To ensure a future where “New Orleans emerges as one of the brightest spots in the North American economy,” says Kotkin, the city and region should focus on five areas, including the river system and the construction of infrastructure.
