If the high-value, higher-ground portion is kept, a smaller, less expensive levee can be built.
The city proper has been a shrinking city for the past few decades - there were 25% fewer people in NO in 2004 than in 1924.
Also, according to the census 40% of the population were non-families.
The traditional, culturally distinct NO can be approximated in a smaller city with a larger proportional tax base, less corruption and more capital.
A revamped NO may attract more artists, musicians and small businesspeople who were frustrated by the red tape, graft and criminality of the old NO.
The fact is, the number of live music venues, independent art galleries and distinctive restaurants in NO had been declining for decades before Katrina.
Good post. I entirely agree.