1. Rural and Small-Town Preservation
Chapter 11
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2. 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
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3. Small towns are less dense, so the open space is a much larger part of the area’s composition
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4. In rural environments, open space is the predominant component
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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”
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. By looking at the building traditions, material, form, silhouette and other compatibility issues, they can ensure that new construction blends into the existing environment
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11. 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
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12. The collected data must include:
History
Environment
Culture
Economy
Politics
Social norms
Finally, education of the public is essential
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13. 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
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