Rural and Small-Town Preservation Chapter 11 ARCH 5324

In all neighborhoods or historic districts of a city, or in small towns, open space is a major component In urban environments open space is very restricted and organized by streets and alleys. Buildings define such spaces ARCH 5324

Small towns are less dense, so the open space is a much larger part of the area’s composition ARCH 5324

In rural environments, open space is the predominant component ARCH 5324

Rural preservation, according to the National Trust, is “the protection of the countryside including the preservation of buildings and villages of cultural significance, the protection of their surroundings and the enhancement of the local economy and social institutions”. The Trust also calls it rural “conservation”. While rural conservation gives attention to the structures in the environment, it also is concerned with the husbanding and maintenance of the surrounding open space, because there is a harmonious relationship between them ARCH 5324

However, the opposite is the more common effect: Members of the rural environment tend to look at the preservation of their open space as a hindrance to economic development and the growth of employment However, the opposite is the more common effect: Property speculators lead the way for developers to reach out to the countryside, which in turn increases the value of property, which then appeals to landowners, who sell the property, after which appraised values and tax assessments increase, which forces the landowners out ARCH 5324

This is essentially “gentrification” This chain of events then destroys the beauty of the countryside and tends to ruin the economic fabric of rural agriculture By reducing the available acreage for farming, eventually is jeopardizes the entire ag and local business economy which then is replaced by “gentlemen” farmers This is essentially “gentrification” ARCH 5324

Dairy farms and dairies in West Texas have done the same thing, but in addition, are taking millions of gallons of water from the Ogillala Aquifer ARCH 5324

They should also deal with the siting and design of new buildings The Main Street Program has a small-town thrust, however, it deals more with downtowns of small towns than with the rural environment Rural preservationists must be concerned not only with the built and natural environment and the economy, but with the social fabric of the community They should also deal with the siting and design of new buildings ARCH 5324

By looking at the building traditions, material, form, silhouette and other compatibility issues, they can ensure that new construction blends into the existing environment ARCH 5324

Preservationists need to: Be aware of land-use laws Know the various agencies that implement and enforce these laws as well as private organizations that deal with land use, historic preservation and the protection of open space. If there are no private organizations, then the professional preservationist should try to create one. Citizen participation is important and can be difficult in rural areas Like other processes in preservation, one must gather as much information about the area as possible, including establishing its boundaries and identifying its cultural and natural resources ARCH 5324

The collected data must include: History Environment Culture Economy Politics Social norms Finally, education of the public is essential ARCH 5324

Tools include: Listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a single property or a district Zoning Easements Transfer of development rights Land trusts Revolving funds ARCH 5324