How Los Angeles will rebuild after devastating wildfires
Weeks after fires destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles, residents face tough choices about rebuilding as city officials, planners and interest groups push for fire resilience, energy efficiency and community improvements.
Ali Martin and Francine Kiefer report for The Christian Science Monitor.
In short:
- Officials are allowing homeowners to rebuild quickly, but new fire safety codes will make some homes more resilient.
- Debates are emerging over rebuilding with all-electric utilities, with sustainability advocates pushing for long-term energy efficiency.
- Some residents want to rethink urban design, adding parks, sidewalks and mixed-use developments while preserving tree canopies.
Key quote:
“This is going to be a journey of discovery of what it means to rebuild.”
— Dorothy Wong, Altadena Town Council member
Why this matters:
Wildfires, once considered seasonal threats, are now an almost year-round reality in many parts of the world, particularly in California. As flames consume homes and infrastructure at an alarming rate, communities are being forced to reconsider how they build, power and design their cities. Nowhere is this more evident than in Los Angeles, where rebuilding efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires could shape the future of disaster recovery.
