Rebuilding efforts are ongoing following the destructive Palisades Fire that swept through southern California this January. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement that 340 homes are actively being built, and with recent rebuilding plans being approved, that number is projected to increase further.

This news has been received with disappointment by some, taking into account the thousands of buildings, including schools and businesses, that were lost in the fire.

The Guardian cited Assistant Professor of Urban Planning Minjee Kim’s insights on the rebuilding efforts. She stated that although the figure cited in Bass’ statement seems relatively small, the number of homes being rebuilt should be increasing exponentially in the future. She expresses hope that though it may take five or ten years for rebuilding to be complete, the Palisades can be restored similar to its previous state before the fire.

“It’s all about the community and people’s attachment to their community,” said Kim. “I think there’s enough core that remains in Palisades and enough families that really want to go back and rebuild – it won’t be a completely new neighborhood.”