Today, one can hardly imagine a visit to New Orleans without a stroll through its famous French Quarter (the Vieux Carré), but this now national historic landmark was at the center of a two-decades-battle that pitted politicians against preservationists. Mid-twentieth century shifts away from central business districts and public transportation, combined with the increasing sprawl of suburbs, resulted in a need for massive roadway projects to carry commuters. In 1946, such a project was designed for the city officials of New Orleans, which included a forty-foot-high, ninety-foot-wide interstate highway be built through the French Quarter district, the city s oldest, and arguably most historic, neighborhood. The project was supported and pushed by politicians and business leaders around the city and state. Supplemented by a wealth of photographs and maps, Baumbach and Borah provide a well-documented account of the expressway controversy in all its twists and turns, its ambiguities, and its acrimony. The Second Battle of New Orleans is not only an illustration of the planning processes in operation, it is the story of conflicting interests, both public and private, fighting for the future of a major municipality.

Supplemented by a wealth of photographs and maps, Baumbach and Borah provide a well-documented account of the expressway controversy in all its twists and turns, its ambiguities, and its acrimony. The Second Battle of New Orleansis not only an illustration of the planning processes in operation, it is the story of conflicting interests, both public and private, fighting for the future of a major municipality.

Review Quotes:

"This is a great story and an important one that takes place in New Orleans but has ramifications that go far beyond Louisiana. It's how preservationists took on multiple Goliaths" from virtually everyone in the city with power or money to the federal government" and slew them all. Saved was the essence of New Orleans." -- John M. Barry, author of Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America "Author"

Review Quotes:

"The Second Battle of New Orleans honors the maxim that we can learn much from history. The book chronicles in astonishing detail the years-long battle to stop the elevated expressway through the Vieux Carr"€"told as no one else can by two of the frontline fighters. All who truly care about saving the natural and built environment from ill-considered -- Dwight Merriam, FAICP, Attorney at Law, Past President of the American Institute of Certified Planne 

Review Quotes:

"A landmark account of successful stakeholder-driven urban planning and consequential civic engagement across lines of class, race, and time. . . Required reading for preservationists, urban planners, environmental advocates, neighborhood activists, community organizers, and anyone who cares about equitable planning and policymaking." -- Jacques Morial, public policy strategist, writer, and community organizer 

ISBN: 1946160571

6x9 Paperback

Published: November 2019

426 pages