Major Principles and Prospect of Sustainable Design in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina - Dissertation Example

Arguably, for the vast majority of the population not directly involved in design good design passes unnoticed, and passing unnoticed is its highest compliment. Sympathetic design passes unnoticed because its form and function are perfectly realized: It works. It passes unnoticed precisely because it is perfectly functional and its form flows seamlessly into the surrounding environment. For example, a comfortable chair passes unnoticed simply because it is comfortable and compatible with the human form. A well-designed kitchen appliance, even something as simple as a can opener, passes unnoticed precisely when it functions easily and smoothly.
At the same time design is intimately linked to the world around it. It is a product of wider technological processes and pervasive artistic influences. Fifty years ago issues around environmental problems largely passed unnoticed. However, in the last thirty years as environmental issues have become of increasing importance and awareness has grown of packaging waste, climate change, and other issues design considerations have expanded to encompass environmental issues. More recently, emphasis on environmental issues has been replaced by an emphasis on sustainability.
The body of this proposal will consider the concept of sustainable design as it has been applied to the reconstruction of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005). Specifically, problems with the actual sustainability of current 'sustainable' approaches to reconstruction will be highlighted. In fact, this proposal will argue that most of the 'sustainable' proposals for rebuilding New Orleans are not sustainable as they neglect the key socio-cultural aspects of sustainable design. Subsequently, one simple proposal for reconstruction that is truly sustainable economically, environmentally, and socio-culturally will be presented.
Discussion of the issue of sustainable design will commence with a consideration of the history (etymology) of the word sustain, the root of the term sustainability. According to the Online Etymological Dictionary, the root of sustain comes from the late 13 century, from Old French sustenir "hold up", endure.