Historic Preservation

Textbook Reading

Chapters 9 & 10

Chapter 9, "Preservation Planning," covers the importance of coordinating the efforts of preservationists and city planners, i.e., integrating historic preservation with master plans. According to Tyler, Ligibel, and Tyler, "the concept of the interconnectedness of natural and cultural resources is increasingly being understood and embraced" (p. 318). Recognizing the importance of economic development in a society now supported more by information technology than by agriculture and manufacturing, as it had once been in the past. Today, people want to buy more than commodities and goods; they even want to buy more than service. They are willing to spend more to purchase experiences" (p. 283). To the extent that this is true, experiences involving historic preservation (sometimes called "cultural heritage tourism," a topic discussed further in the final chapter, which can also be a source of economic development. Today, concern for economic viability must also incorporate environmental stewardship.

Chapter 10, "Economics of Preservation," begins by noting the community benefits and economic advantages of historic preservation. Here, as elsewhere in the book, the discussion of financial considerations touches on a wide array of subtopics, including tax assessments, easements, the transfer and purchase of development rights, other tax benefits available as a financial incentive for preservation work, financial analysis techniques, and some of the federal sources available for funding preservation projects.

Additional readings on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation Planning: Preservation planning is a process that organizes preservation activities (identification, evaluation, registration and treatment of historic properties) in a logical sequence. The Standards for Planning discuss the relationship among these activities while the remaining activity standards consider how each activity should be carried out. The Professional Qualifications Standards discuss the education and experience required to carry out various activities. The Standards for Planning outline a process that determines when an area should be examined for historic properties, whether an identified property is significant, and how a significant property should be treated.

Chapter 9, Preservation Planning, Historic Preservation, pp. 255-300
Chapter 10, Economics of Preservation, Historic Preservation, pp. 301-318
Click here for the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation Planning.

Consider the following questions as you read the chapters:

Why is planning for the present and future of historic places just as important as understanding its past?
How does economics play a role in the way places are preserved and what history and culture is interpreted?
In what ways of planning and economic development intersect in the stewardship of historic communities?