MORE on Economics, Sustainability and Historic Preservation

This is more from the link referred to on the previous post. It is a must read for anyone considering their position on local historic district. http://www.nationaltrust.org/advocacy/case/Rypkema_Speech_on_Sustainability_in_Portland.pdf
This is the "new community design" that the National Governors Association put together for promoting continued stable and sustainable growth in their states. What is missing here is the fact that local historic districts do this by preserving what was designed under the principles 50+ years ago. It costs less, conserves more energy, and creates more community spirit. That is what we want to preserve.

National Governors Association, they call it New Community Design. In their publication –
New Community Design to the Rescue – they establish a set of principles, and they are these:
• Mixed use
• Community interaction
• Transportation/walkability
• Tree lined streets
• Open space
• Efficient use of infrastructure
• Houses close to the street
• Diverse housing
• High density
• Reduced land consumption
• Links to adjacent communities
• Enhances surrounding communities
• Pedestrian friendly

Great list. Building cities in that fashion would certainly advance the sustainable
development agenda. But you know what? We don’t need new community design to rescue
us. That list of principles is exactly what our historic neighborhoods are providing right
now. We just need to make sure they are protected. Oh, and by the way, the number of times
the phrase “historic preservation” appears in their publication? Exactly zero.