NOLA and Her Levees

(New Orleans Street. Source: NOLA)

Evolution has graced humanity with the ability to adapt to every situation that should arise within impressively short amounts of time. From personal to public events; financial struggles; and natural disasters, humans repeatedly show their resiliency in life.

(St. Louis Cathedral, French Quarter. Source: Cathedral)

This skill of adaptation includes the ability to manipulate the resources and goods already in possession to create a better reality. A main point of manipulation that humans participate in for a better reality revolves around the environment. Molding the environment to shape human needs and desires is arguably one of the most common forms of humans utilizing their skill of adaptation. More specifically, I want to focus on the management of the environment in Cajun Territory: New Orleans, LA.

(Marsh lands on the outskirts of New Orleans. Source: Marshes)

This historically French city has a vibrant culture, a reputation that speaks for itself, and is naturally about 8 feet under sea level. The city struggles just like any other in means of social and political injustices, but one unique issue that plagues the city is water. Most cities want to bring water IN for their citizens, but in order for New Orleans to exist, water must be kept OUT. People of this Cajun city have adapted to their environment by building levees: an embankment that hinders the overflow of rivers.

(Historical Mardi Gras Celebration, 1910. Source: Mardi Gras)

There is a lot of conflict revolving around the topic of humans and their environment, and this will only voice one of many positive points for human adaptation. Looking at the history of New Orleans, a background of levees, the possible future of New Orleans, wrath of hurricanes, and common opinions of the system, this blog will shed light on the subject. 

Links to Information: New Orleans, Levees