The Arts and Historic Preservation- Intersections in the Urban Context

The Arts and Historic Preservation

Overview

• The arts and historic preservation are critical strategies in urban planning and development, though they are rarely integrated in city planning.

• This document explores their intersection, focusing on who employs these strategies, the synergies and tensions between them, and their relationship to contemporary urban issues such as gentrification and community control.

Historical Context

• U.S. cities have adopted arts and historic preservation as tools for improvement, with significant developments such as the designation of historic districts and the initiation of creative placemaking programs.

• Historic preservation began as a response to the need for maintaining unique architectural styles and community heritage, exemplified by Charleston's Old and Historic District established in 1931.

Economic and Community Development

• The arts serve as catalysts for economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and equitable growth.

• Historic preservation, particularly through adaptive reuse, contributes positively to local economies by stabilizing and increasing property values and by preventing urban blight, while also heightening community identity.

Gentrification Challenges

• The interrelationship between the arts, historic preservation, and gentrification is complex, with critiques that these practices can drive displacement of lower-income residents.

• Displacement is often initiated by artists moving into neighborhoods, which then attract developers and higher-income residents, raising local property values and rents.

Resistance and Community Empowerment

• Despite the potential for negative impacts, both arts and historic preservation can empower communities to resist gentrification and advocate for cultural practices.

• Grassroots movements utilize these strategies to reclaim spaces and ensure that community identities remain intact amidst urban transformation.

Placemaking and Placekeeping

• Creative placemaking integrates arts and historic preservation to create strong community identities and enrich local cultures.

• Placekeeping focuses on maintaining the social, cultural, and economic benefits of neighborhoods, ensuring that changes respect the histories and identities of existing communities.

Future Directions in Research

• There is a need for further research into the synergies and tensions between the arts and historic preservation, especially concerning their roles in sustainable urban development.

• Scholars should explore how these fields can contribute to equitable and inclusive urban environments, particularly within marginalized communities.