In a rebuttal to criticisms leveled at historic preservation districts, Stephanie Meeks of the National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that historic preservation has value and can aid in creating affordable housing.
Writing in CityLab, Stephanie Meeks asks that critics who claim that historic preservation districts are contributing to a lack of affordable housing in our cities take a step back and find "ways to increase density and affordability in cities that don’t involve destroying the historic fabric of our communities."
Meeks writes that the benefits from our historic neighborhoods are both tangible and intangible. They connect residents to their neighborhoods and to those who came before, creating what Meeks describes as "living history lessons." In addition, many of our older neighborhoods hold opportunities for the adaptive reuse of the existing building stock to create multi-family units. Creating density in older neighborhoods doesn’t always require tearing down existing buildings to build taller.
Economists such as Edward Glaeser have argued that historic districts prevent affordability by limiting tall and dense new development that could fit everyone. But, as the urban planner Jeff Speck points out in Walkable City, 'economists don’t seem to have fully processed one thing the designers know, which is how tremendously dense a city can become at moderate heights.'
FULL STORY: Why Historic Preservation Districts Are Crucial to Cities
California Bill Seeks to Balance Preservation and Housing Demand
A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require cities to report new historic preservation ordinances and assess how they impact local housing supplies.
Restoring the Vacant Middle: Creating Middle Housing Through Historic Preservation
How flexible zoning in historic districts can support preservation and create affordable housing.
Whose History Is Being Preserved, Exactly?
As the housing crisis continues, advocates are increasingly wary of historic preservation efforts that serve to perpetuate historic inequities and keep housing costs high.
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The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
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At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
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Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
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The Emerald Ash Borer is a rapidly spreading invasive pest threatening Minnesota’s ash trees, and homeowners are encouraged to plant diverse replacement species, avoid moving ash firewood, and monitor for signs of infestation.
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