As a response to the devastation following Hurricane Katrina and the need for the city to redevelop and reclaim its relationship to the river, New Orleans’ Reinventing the Crescent is a master plan by a collaborative team of Hargreaves Associates, TEN Arquitectos, Chan Krieger and Eskew Dumez Ripple for six miles of open space and urban redevelopment along the Mississippi River that transforms underutilized port lands.

The six miles run through a series of historic neighborhoods, treasured landmark sites such as Canal Street and Jackson Square, active commercial areas, the convention center, cruise ship terminals and former industrial zones. A continuous well-defined pedestrian route overlooking the river is punctuated with perpendicular access yielding new connections between the city and its river. A variety of destination park programs are integrated with the rich and culturally significant sites while key surrounding sites are identified for new development opportunities, thereby creating mutually beneficial incentives. This layering of interventions is specifically coordinated with a demanding flood control system and rail corridor while former industrial wharf sites are reclaimed for public amenity or returned to natural riparian zones.