The survey results, the Preservation Texas Summit Roundtable, public meetings, and discussions with the Advisory Council and THC staff brought to bear several key preservation issues for the statewide plan to address. These issues form the backbone of the plan and informed the development of the vision, goals and ultimate outcomes.
↑ Return to Explore the Plan
Permanent link to this article: http://www.preservationconnection.com/?page_id=10
Preservation-Based Economic Development
Historic preservation has proven and sustainable economic benefits for communities. Preservation can equal jobs, tax dollars, local business development, tourism revenue, downtown revitalization and a myriad of other contributors to the economy – often times at a greater return on investment than traditional economic development strategies. Many communities in Texas look to the rehabilitation of their historic assets more »
Preservation Education
Our youth today are the stewards of Texas’ history tomorrow. The future of preserving Texas’ historic places depends upon educating younger generations about its value and importance. Historic places provide an authentic and interactive experience of history, making it a valuable learning tool for educators and students (public and private school teachers, homeschoolers, parents and grandparents included!). Students in K-12, more »
Information Infrastructure
Information is a powerful tool. The most basic yet critical information for successful preservation activities is the simple identification of historic and cultural resources. If we don’t know what exists, how can we preserve it, let along use it effectively for the betterment of our communities? With every year, more properties are viewed as historic, and different more »
Preservation Awareness
As Texas’ population increases and changes, preservation awareness becomes critical. Texans are proud of their state and heritage, however a preservation ethic is not widespread. Misconceptions about preservation mingle with strong property rights attitudes in rural and urban areas alike. In Texas, preservation is not widely known as a proven mechanism for economic development and community more »
Cultural Landscapes
The study and application of cultural landscapes within the preservation movement has become an important, yet not widely practiced, development in the field. Cultural landscapes allow us to see, interpret and experience places that emphasize the interaction between human beings and nature over time. They provide a comprehensive and contextual perspective of historic places situated within their more »
Diversity in Preservation
Texas’ past, present and future are the sum of the efforts and vision of a diverse population. The hands of Native Americans, Tejanos, Mexicans, African-Americans, Europeans and countless others built the Lone Star State. This diversity must be represented and respected in the historic and cultural landscape and within the community that preserves Texas’ built more »
Historic Housing and Homeowners
Historic homes comprise the vast majority of Texas’ historic built fabric and historic homeowners are our largest stakeholder. The issues facing homeowners and historic residential areas are complex and diverse. Rural communities face the continuing trend of out-migration to urban areas, leaving historic homes and neighborhoods vacant and neglected. Urban residential neighborhoods are confronted with varied market forces. “Hot” neighborhoods continue to more »
Legal Framework of Preservation
The laws and policies that protect historic and cultural resources, whether they be at the local, state or federal level, are essential and often the most effective tools to accomplishing historic preservation; yet no other approach is as controversial or misunderstood. Issues to Explore Counties in Texas lack legal planning authority to protect historic and cultural places more »
Sustainability and Preservation
Architect Carl Elefante summed up the connection between historic preservation and sustainability in this simple sentiment: “The greenest building is one that is already built.” The relationship and similarity between preservation and sustainability is clear. Both hold common values including stewardship, conservation, placemaking and most of all considering future generations as we make decisions about meeting our current more »
Perusing this web site reminded me of the scene in Fawlty Towers where Sybil is haranguing Basil about steps to clean the kitchen before the health inspector arrives:
“Can’t we get you on Mastermind, Sybil? Next contestant – Sybil Fawlty from Torquay. Special subject – the bleedin’ obvious.”
I am very concerned that tax dollars were wasted on building this document castle in the air. How about: we need to find artifacts and other historiana of all peoples and places in Texas, understand them, preserve them, protect them, and share them and the knowledge we’ve gained from them?
I’d drop the housing and economic development sections because we can always depend on gentrification to preserve historic buildings and escalate property taxes that drive out poorer residents. More housing for the monied!
Seriously, did you pay someone to lead this “preservation planning” project? Or did you waste staff time (also subsidized by taxpayers) putting this together? Both? How many dollars were spent on public meetings that few if any attended?
If you’re trying to attract the attention of the Sunset commission, this should do it.