LAX Leader

As residents of Los Angeles begin to return to homes damaged by recent wildfires, the challenge of recovery is evident. Many remain displaced as the threat of fires continues. This situation raises questions about what rebuilding efforts will entail.

California faces a convergence of issues, including a housing affordability crisis, climate risks, and systemic inequalities. These challenges have led to a critical reassessment of urban planning and infrastructure development in wildfire-prone areas like Los Angeles.

Experts from the University of Southern California (USC) are available to discuss how recovery can address these underlying issues.

Emily Smith-Greenaway, a USC expert on demography and inequality, commented on the unity among Angelenos: “Los Angeles is known for its sprawl — its tapestry of economically, culturally and geographically diverse neighborhoods that can seem like they share little aside from the congested freeways that connect them. But last week, as we all breathed bad air and watched ash sprinkle our streets, we were reminded of our connectivity — our shared identity as Angelenos.” She noted that despite losing institutions and landmarks, there has been a collective mobilization demonstrating unity and resilience.

Dowell Myers from USC's Price School highlighted how disasters exacerbate housing crises: “A tightly constrained housing supply reduces resilience to absorb losses from unexpected disasters — fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and more. In Los Angeles, this lack of flexibility could rapidly intensify gentrification as relocations strain the existing housing stock.”

Adam Rose discussed climate change's role in exacerbating fire conditions: “While most people think of climate change in terms of long-term manifestations... it also dramatically increases climate variability,” he said. He explained that increased rainfall leads to more vegetation growth which becomes fuel during droughts.

Allison Agsten emphasized considering climate change when discussing accountability for fires: “Although we do not yet know the cause... we do know that climate change is the backdrop behind which this catastrophe is occurring.”

Other experts at USC are also available for insights into mental health impacts and real estate finance related to these events.