Here’s a blueprint for rebuilding Paradise

Perhaps the people of Paradise can think and act outside of the box: Instead of talking about the reconstruction of their homes individually, they could pool their resources and build multiunit housing that can be delivered more inexpensively and more quickly.

This would make it possible for more of the original residents to return to their fireravaged town.

State and federal grants could pay for design teams, including city planners, civil engineers and other experts, who would take into account the personality of the original town, the lifestyle of the residents and their connection to nature.

If all of the town participates, then additional units of housing could be built that would alleviate the regional housing shortage and create revenue to help finance the project, making the individual costs lower.

This would require a large degree of cooperation among the community, insurance companies, financial institutions and local and regional governments, and would require strong leadership and oversight.

If the whole community could not agree to participate, then perhaps smaller groups of neighbors could pool their resources to rebuild together.

To rebuild the community as it was would take longer, and many of the original inhabitants might choose to leave the area.

Taking this approach could mark the evolution of how to handle these large disasters in the future.

Samuel Saenz, 74, lives in San Francisco, where he is involved in volunteer and recreational activities, and several book clubs.