Rebuilding and Remaking Riverside: The Role of Institutions, Capital, and Community in Place-Making

• In Event: 40452 - The Structures and Institutions That Shape Place-Making

Abstract

The paper critically examines how systemic racism, capitalism, and institutional actions have defined, contained, and produced the spatial realities of Riverside, a historically Black community in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Established by formerly enslaved individuals in the late 19th century, Riverside has endured decades of infrastructural neglect, environmental injustice, and political marginalization—manifestations of broader structural forces that have shaped its place-making processes.

The devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida in 2021 starkly illuminated Riverside's vulnerabilities, submerging the town, displacing residents, and unearthing human remains from a historic cemetery. In the disaster's aftermath, various institutions—including government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and even Energy corporations—intervened in the recovery efforts. These interventions highlight the complex interplay between structural forces and institutional actions in shaping the community's spatial and social landscape. The study explores how racism and capitalism have operated through institutional channels—governmental neglect in infrastructural development, corporate philanthropy with underlying self-interests, and environmental policies that often exclude marginalized voices—to influence Riverside's place-making. For instance, TerraNova's funding of a new drainage system, while addressing immediate needs, exemplifies how corporate involvement can perpetuate dependency and divert attention from systemic issues. Similarly, Riverstone Energy's withdrawal of a proposed industrial project following the hurricane underscores the tensions between corporate interests and the preservation of cultural heritage.

By situating Riverside's experience within the broader context of spatial injustice, the paper demonstrates how entrenched structures and institutional actions play a central role in place-making. It calls for a transformative approach that centers marginalized communities in policy-making, ensuring that place-making becomes a collaborative process addressing systemic inequities rather than perpetuating them. This case study offers valuable insights into how structures and institutions shape spatial contexts, aligning with the session's aim to explore these critical dynamics in place-making.

Author

• Sukari Ivester, Tulane University