Since 7 January, a series of 30 wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles and the surrounding regions. In the face of such ongoing destruction, thinking about recovery can feel unfathomable. But, for those who have lost their homes and businesses, there isn’t a moment to lose. How do you tackle such a monumental task? The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, has outlined her plan for rebuilding in an executive order.
‘This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response that will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities,’ Bass said in the order, which also proposes ‘urgency, common sense and compassion’. Key to the plan is the removal of red tape for any ‘eligible projects’, which are defined as those that will ‘repair, restore, demolish, or replace a structure or facility substantially damaged or destroyed’.
