In the wake of the destruction of the World Trade Center tower, environmentalists are calling for a rapid rebuilding of lower Manhattan as a way to fight increased urban sprawl and traffic congestion. They worry that the sudden shortage of office space downtown, combined with concerns about security and the economy, could drive corporations out of the city center, at the expense of air quality and open spaces. As a result, some environmental groups say they would turn a blind eye to streamlined building procedures. Meanwhile, Grist diarist and environmental justice activist Swati Prakash continues to fight the good fight while simultaneously trying to meet the city’s new, post-terrorism needs. Read her account of this week in New York City on the Grist Magazine website.
