Historic Preservation: Gentrification or Economic Development :: Free Essays Online

Historic saving Gentrification or Economic DevelopmentHistoric economy has traditionally been simply restoring bygoneally significant architectural or geographical sites for aesthetic value or for the benefit of future generations to better come across the ways and styles of the past. As the National Trust for Historic Preservation explains, when historic buildings and neighborhoods are torn down or allowed to deteriorate, a part of our past disappears forever. When that happens, we lose history that helps us know who we are, and we lose opportunities to live and take in in the kinds of interesting and attractive surroundings that older buildings can submit (NTHP web site). Recently the delectation of historic rescue has also begun to be viewed by cities and towns as a means to sparing outgrowth and urban renewal. According to advocates, historic preservation has aided in local anaesthetic economic and community revitalization, increased tourism and employment, and pre served regional history, culture, and pride. However, historic preservation has often lacked public support due to a negative reputation. some(prenominal) see it, not as a means to revitalizing local communities, but rather, as simply driving the problems further under the resurrect or into other areas, namely, as a means to gentrification. This reputation is not entirely unfounded, as there have been instances when gentrification was exactly the intended goal. thither is a fundamental dichotomy and tension within economic maturation policies in general, and specifically with historic preservation, between the need to bring in wealthy residents and new businesses and the likelihood that it will drive out or alienate low to moderate-income local residents. Historic preservation will, of course, not move for every struggling area in the nation, but for those that can use it, alone or in conjunction with other rules of economic development it is important to recognize that the onl y way to have truly sustainable economic development and not simply economic growth at the expense of local community and quality of life issues is to find a balance between this dichotomy and accommodate all members of a community. kindly and Economic BenefitsOrganizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the US department of Housing and Urban Development, and their state and local counterparts are currently emphasizing the benefits of historic preservation as a method of urban revitalization. According to Judith Kremen, Executive Director of the Baltimore County Historical Trust, historic preservation benefits local economies because it creates a