At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places alive, in
active use, and relevant to the needs of communities today. As cities across
America experience a remarkable renaissance, and more and more young, diverse
families choose to live, work, and play in historic neighborhoods, the promise
and potential of using our older and historic buildings to revitalize our cities
is stronger than ever.
This urban resurgence is a national phenomenon, boosting cities from Cleveland
to Buffalo and Portland to Pittsburgh. Experts offer a range of theories on what
is driving the return to the city—from the impact of the recent housing crisis
to a desire