Decentralized Governance in the Context of Urban Resilience: A Case Study of Post-Hurricane Recovery in New Orleans

Abstract

This study examines the decentralized governance mechanisms deployed during the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans, highlighting their effectiveness in promoting urban resilience. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, we analyze qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and quantitative metrics of recovery outcomes. Our findings reveal that decentralized governance not only facilitated adaptive responses to crises but also fostered community engagement and resource mobilization. The implications of this study are significant, suggesting that decentralized frameworks can enhance resilience in urban policy-making amidst growing climate uncertainties. This work contributes to the discourse on public policy by providing empirical evidence of successful governance models in disaster recovery contexts.