Publication Date:
2012-04-17
Description:
A May 2007 tornado destroyed 95% of aging, declining Greensburg, Kansas. The city took the opportunity to build back “stronger, better, and greener,” enforcing upgraded codes, requiring city-owned buildings to meet LEED Platinum level standards, and recommending energy-efficiency housing in a new Sustainable Comprehensive Plan. Using information collected from surveys of Greensburg tornado survivors, interviews, and publications, we examined the housing-related recovery, including the emergency provision of temporary shelter and rebuilding permanently. Although temporary shelter kept residents nearby for rebuilding, given the gap between insurance policy limits on the aging housing stock and rebuilding costs, housing affordability is a critical issue in Greensburg’s recovery. Local, state, and federal support have made construction of municipal buildings at LEED Platinum level and some affordable and green housing projects possible. However, far greater public and private sector funding for affordable workforce housing, in conjunction with broader economic and job development, is needed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 93-108 DOI 10.1007/s10708-010-9404-4 Authors Bimal Kanti Paul, Department of Geography, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA Deborah Che, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA Journal GeoJournal Online ISSN 1572-9893 Print ISSN 0343-2521 Journal Volume Volume 76 Journal Issue Volume 76, Number 1
Print ISSN:
0343-2521
Electronic ISSN:
1572-9893
Topics:
Geography
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