Four weeks after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, parts of the US city least affected by flooding have officially reopened.
Thousands of people among a total of 180,000 residents involved have been returning to areas of the city, including the historic French Quarter.
Some businesses have reopened and power supplies are working.
However, drinking water is only available in a few areas.
The city's mayor, Ray Nagin, has established a commission to draft a rebuilding plan for New Orleans and has asked for tax breaks to help revive the city.
The latest reports put the death toll from Hurricane Katrina at 1,159, most of whom were in the state of Louisiana. The storm that followed it, Hurricane Rita, has killed at least 10 people.
