Future Directions in Small Town Preservation
Future Directions in Small Town Preservation

Author: Allison Richard

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 91

ISBN-13:

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Despite the surge of national, state, and local preservation initiatives since the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, many American towns continue to experience a decline in the vitality of their Main Streets. Local historic preservation laws and regulations may help a town maintain its historic character and attract residents and visitors to sustain vibrant town life. However, these regulatory features may be lacking when trying to address the complex, myriad challenges facing small towns, such as loss of industry or the construction of a new highway that draws traffic away from a downtown commercial district. Preservation advocates may be more effective in revitalizing communities if they focus on preserving the intangible aspects of small-town life, as well as physical resources, by assessing the social and cultural value of places within downtowns just as they would assess a resource for its historic, aesthetic, or archaeological value during the preservation process. In order to explore the effectiveness of past and current revitalization and preservation efforts within small towns, this thesis will compare preservation initiatives of two communities in Hunterdon County, New Jersey: Lambertville and Flemington. In particular, the role and function of a Business Improvement District, which is a more recent type of organization that functions in public-private partnership, is explored in the Flemington case study. These organizations, such as Business Improvement Districts, have the potential to uphold traditional forms of historic preservation while incorporating new ideas and methods of preserving the culture of small towns by engaging with community members to ensure that their initiatives and programs reflect the social and cultural values of small town communities.

Revive and Thrive
Revive and Thrive

Author: Harlan G. Otis

Publisher:

Published: 2024-06-22

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781963369397

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Transform your town into a vibrant heritage hub and inspire a renaissance of cultural abundance, even if you're a novice in historic preservation. Throughout this book, we'll explore the transformative powers vesting within historic preservation - not just a means to revive old structures, but an opportunity to invigorate your community, fuel local economies, and safeguard the cultural continuity that shapes our identities. Indeed, the real essence of historic preservation extends beyond safeguarding old structures. It's about people and the narratives entwined in these spaces. This book was written with the understanding that you might not have a professional background in historic preservation. It's presented in accessible language and formats, breaking down complex concepts with engaging visuals and simple explanations. We emphasize an inclusive and community-focused approach to revitalization efforts, maintaining housing affordability, respecting resident rights, and genuinely adding value to the lives of all community residents. Your town offers a unique heritage and untold histories that, when sustained, that can be nurtured into a profound sense of pride and belonging among all members of your community.

Historic Preservation and the Livable City
Historic Preservation and the Livable City

Author: Eric W. Allison

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2010-12-20

Total Pages: 419

ISBN-13: 047090075X

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For both the preservation professional and urban planner, this book shows how preservation is a key to the creation of livable cities. The author Eric Allison, the founder and coordinated of the graduate historic preservation program at Pratt Institute in New York City, offers tools and case studies that preservationists and planners can learn from in implementing preservation projects or plans in cities large and small. This book is a must read for anyone working in or interested in these fields and the creation and maintenance of livable cities.

The Past and Future City
The Past and Future City

Author: Stephanie Meeks

Publisher: Island Press

Published: 2016-10-04

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 161091709X

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At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places alive, in active use, and relevant to the needs of communities today. As cities across America experience a remarkable renaissance, and more and more young, diverse families choose to live, work, and play in historic neighborhoods, the promise and potential of using our older and historic buildings to revitalize our cities is stronger than ever. This urban resurgence is a national phenomenon, boosting cities from Cleveland to Buffalo and Portland to Pittsburgh. Experts offer a range of theories on what is driving the return to the city—from the impact of the recent housing crisis to a desire to be socially engaged, live near work, and reduce automobile use. But there’s also more to it. Time and again, when asked why they moved to the city, people talk about the desire to live somewhere distinctive, to be some place rather than no place. Often these distinguishing urban landmarks are exciting neighborhoods—Miami boasts its Art Deco district, New Orleans the French Quarter. Sometimes, as in the case of Baltimore’s historic rowhouses, the most distinguishing feature is the urban fabric itself. While many aspects of this urban resurgence are a cause for celebration, the changes have also brought to the forefront issues of access, affordable housing, inequality, sustainability, and how we should commemorate difficult history. This book speaks directly to all of these issues. In The Past and Future City, Stephanie Meeks, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, describes in detail, and with unique empirical research, the many ways that saving and restoring historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods, good jobs, and a vibrant economy. She explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now. This book is for anyone who cares about cities, places, and saving America’s diverse stories, in a way that will bring us together and help us better understand our past, present, and future.