Also, tearing down structures releases toxins and pollutants in the environment. Historic areas such as South Norwalk have seen investment and growth, while preserving its many historic structures and character.
For example, if the historic structures will be preserved, the Commission can reduce the amount of required parking, decrease building setbacks or increase building height or size for recognized historic structures. August 30, An important part of what gives a city character and a sense of community is its history.
Preserving History Through Buildings Old buildings are witnesses to the aesthetic and cultural history of a city, helping to give people a sense of place and connection to the past.
Aesthetic Importance of Older Buildings Older buildings often are made with unique, valuable materials such as the heart pine, marble, or old brick. Environmental Considerations The importance of recycling has become more and more understood on a household level, but preserving old buildings is recycling on a larger scale.
Get updates in your inbox Be the first to find out about what's happening with Norwalk Tomorrow. Email Address. For example, repairing and rebuilding portions of an existing structure such as windows, doors and mouldings rather than replacing entire components or assemblies would be an option to consider. This type of adaptive re-use is not only cost effective, but sustainable on various levels.
It is sustainable from an environmental perspective as previously illustrated, but it is also sustainable economically by spending money locally on repair and reconstruction rather than on new materials manufactured at distant facilities. By retaining much of the original architectural fabric and historical character of the building, these adaptive re-use projects support cultural sustainability as well.
When considered in this light, historic preservation can be a powerful tool used to strengthen local economies and stabilize property values. There are many instances in which the value of historic preservation should be seriously considered.
As communities, towns and cities develop comprehensive plans for growth and development, districts and specific buildings or areas with historical significance can be identified as elements that should be protected.
As affordable housing needs are considered in areas where historic buildings exist, an historic preservation plan should be developed. To prevent the destruction of historic properties by demolition such as Carnegie Hall in , by neglect, or by inappropriate renovation that destroys the historical character of the property, historic preservation guidelines should be in place.
Historic preservation projects are also encouraged on the state and federal levels through grants as well as tax incentives in the form of credits, deductions and abatements.
In addition, permit and fee waivers may also be available for such projects at the local level. During our discussions of historic preservation, we often arrive at that gray area between what defines those elements that have substantial historical significance and should be protected, and those that are not historically significant and therefore may be altered or removed entirely.
It is within this foggy haze that. In fact, I have found myself on both sides of that argument, though not because of any change in opinion or principle, but rather because every project brings with it a unique set of conditions and circumstances that must be weighed and evaluated on their own merits and challenges. Political wheeling and dealing ensued and, in the end, the double-glazed windows were approved, along with radiant floor heating and electronic roller shades to reduce heat loss at nighttime.
The key to this will be material efficiency, and with many old buildings boasting sustainable features, re-using, and restoring will undoubtedly have less of an impact on our environment than demolishing and building from scratch.
The intrinsic value held by older buildings are often preferred by new businesses for their ability to attract people in. The unique elements of older buildings is what make them more interesting and appealing. It might be the materials used; old brick en masse or some unusually placed marble, it might be its historic roots, or an intricately decorated corner that is found intriguing.
They are often snapped up by new businesses to fulfil new uses but with the aim to retain their magnetism within the community.
Historic buildings within a community not only add to the aesthetics and cultural values of the area, they also have a kinder impact on the environment and attract more people to the area. If you own a listed building be sure to check out how we can help you retrofit windows with double glazing , whilst preserving the character of your home and adhering to planning guidelines. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.
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