The Public and Private Benefits of Historic Preservation

Christopher Francis David, The College of Wooster

Abstract

This study supports the concept that modern historic preservation has expanded beyond the more traditional belief that preservation simply provides cultural edification to society. In particular, the study is designed to show that historic preservation may also be used as a private development strategy capable of providing benefits to the private property owner, and as an alternative public planning technique capable of providing widespread benefits to the city, particularly within the city's oldest and neediest neighborhoods. The study fIrst outlines the condition of the modern metropolis and the objectives of modern city planning. This portion of the study is designed to provide an understanding for the environment that preservation is able to benefIt. With this foundation, the study then focuses primarily upon historic preservation and its ability to act as a profitable private development strategy and as a viable public planning technique. To accomplish the objectives of the study, preservation is discussed and critiqued from both a private and a public perspective. Among other less substantial findings, a cost analysis comparing historic rehabilitations with standard rehabilitations and new construction found that preservation is, in fact, economically viable to the private sector (thus classifying it as a viable private development strategy), and an analysis of preservation tools available to the city found that, with the correct legislative support, preservation is also beneficial to the public sector (thus classifying it as a successful planning tool). From these results, it was concluded that the hypothesis of the study were favorably supported.

 

© Copyright 1989 Christopher Francis David