Historic Preservation & Sustainability

Historic Preservation & Sustainability

The contemporary discipline of historic preservation as a professional activity resulted largely from the havoc and destruction caused by federal urban renewal policies and programs in the mid 20th century. Significant elements of the community fabric were leveled as a result of economic decline – real or perceived – which resulted in the displacement of residents and loss of community identity. Since that time, programs such as the National Register of Historic Places and federal tax incentives, coupled with state and local activies such preferential tax assessments and regulation of local historic districts, have generated tremendous awareness of the importance of historic and cultural resources within a community.

RATIONALE

In 2008, a group of historic preservation and environmental specialists convened a retreat to discuss the imperative of climate change and the relevancy of the historic preservation discipline. The result of this retreat was the Pocantico Proclamation on Sustainability and Historic Preservation. Many lessons learned in the last half-century of preservation practice are relevant and timely to address the needs of curtailing global climate change and its effects on our environment. Historic preservation plays a key role with a green infrastructure network by promoting redevelopment and reinvestment, thus limiting the threat to new development in agricultural and environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, preservation efforts include a host of other benefits to the sustainability movement in general. The resulting document included six broad principles relating historic preservation and sustainability, as well as a series of action items that can be implmented at various levels of policy making.  

EFFORT REQUIRED

The Pocantico Proclamation is a model document for governments to consider as they develop their own strategy for sustainability and their green infrastructure network. Many communities already have local and/ or nationally recognized historic districts, as well as a network of citizens and professionals who serve as advocates for historic preservation. Adoption of similar proclamation as well as a resolution to implement suggested action items can help focus the attention and resources of a local government and community on this issue.

BENEFITS

Focusing attention on the connection between historic preservation and sustainability generates awareness of this set of resources within a communities green infrastructure network. Preservation and rehabilitation of existing buildings lessens the demand for the consumption of raw land for new construction. It conserves energy and resources it would otherwise take to construct new buildings and infrastructure.  

RISKS

As with many regulatory actions, historic preservation regulations can draw the ire of pro-property rights advocates that see design review as a limitation on what they can do with their property. 

ACTION AGENT(S)

Local Government Officials, Citizens and Stakeholders, Private Consultants (typical), Regional and State Government Officials (as necessary)

COSTS

Accepting the principles of the Pocantico Proclamation through government resolution will be of little expense to the community. Cost considerations result from the degree to which each community adopts and acts upon the principles and action items within the Proclamation. 

Any party with an interest in an initiative.A term used for significant changes over an extended period of time in the Earth's natural environments. Climate change can be produced by natural processes (e.g. changes in the Earth's orbit) or by the impact of human behavior (e.g. deforestation). See GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.A term used for significant changes over an extended period of time in the Earth's natural environments. Climate change can be produced by natural processes (e.g. changes in the Earth's orbit) or by the impact of human behavior (e.g. deforestation). Currently, the rise of GREENHOUSE GASES has been identified as the major catalyst for climate change. See CLIMATE CHANGE and GREENHOUSE GASES.The system of land, natural resources, and natural habitats that collectively comprise a community's underlying ecosystem. Green Infrastructure is present in every city, although its size, diversity, and strength vary greatly. Importantly, green infrastructure can be used to help offset negative environmental impacts, for example stormwater runoff and urban heat island effect.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.

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