Drawing Lessons From Major Disasters

A new report contains lessons for planners and other public officials who are concerned about recent public disasters.

1 minute read

August 19, 2006, 9:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Published by the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, the new report entitled "The Worst Is Yet to Come: Lessons from September 11 and Hurricane Katrina" by the Institute's Director Donald F. Kettl provides a hard look at the problems of natural and man-made disasters.

"[The report] examines what public administration scholars and practitioners can learn from these devastating events in recent history. Dr Kettl's conclusions are thought provoking and also provide insight into how government can learn to cope with the 'wicked problems' presented by natural disasters and terrorism in the twenty-first century."

From the report:

"More crises like September 11 and Katrina are inevitable, from a major California earthquake to a nasty flu virus, from a terrorist attack to mega-storms. These problems slop over the boundaries we've created to deal with them. Yet we keep trying to draw boxes around problems that defy boundaries. We keep resorting to old ideologies for new problems. Even worse, Katrina isn't over. We'll be dealing with its consequences, from reconstructing the city's homes to rebuilding its civic life, for years to come."

Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP

Friday, September 16, 2005 in Fels Institute of Government

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Row of older brick houses in Detroit with front porches and front lawns.

Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments are Fixed. Advocates Disagree.

With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system.

1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA