The Values of Heritage Development

In one sense, heritage refers to all the things we have received from the past. As such, heritage development embraces and celebrates a wide array of values including environmental restoration and protection, waterfront access and development, and downtown revitalization, but it begins with historic preservation.

Participants in the conversation emphasized the need to “honor and cherish the past” and to “protect the irreplaceable.” This means avoiding the mistakes of demolition which Homer Russell lamented in his hometown of Boston as well as “investing in our history” through preservation, rehabilitation, and re-use of historic buildings. But, as Jerry Adelmann pointed out, the definition of what is worthy of preservation has broadened over the years to include not only great buildings, but ordinary ones, as well as the “older patterns of community,” the fabric of cities, districts, landscapes and regions.

Part of what makes this significant for both visitors and residents is a focus on preserving what is unique to Buffalo. Karen Engelke advised us to identify those “icons” that represent the essence of our community and its stories. Moderator John Sheffer underlined the particular economic and cultural leverage provided by “distinctive assets.” And Gallaher emphasized the importance of “home-grown” and “grassroots” ideas in the heritage development process. Keeping and highlighting what is special about our community provides residents with a heightened sense of identity and offers visitors a better reason to come here.

The heritage development approach has also encompassed environmental protection and restoration. This also has value for both residents and visitors. Sometimes this is expressed in terms of striking a balance between the value of ecological stewardship and economic development. More and more, people are seeing these values as connected rather than opposed. Within the heritage development paradigm, brownfield redevelopment, open space acquisition, preservation of scenic resources, or, as one citizen noted, the clean-up of the Buffalo River, all have both economic and environmental benefits.

As Elaine Carmichael put it, “water is an automatic amenity.” For twenty years or more, American communities have been working to reconnect themselves to their waterfronts. In case after case, improving public access to waterfronts and promoting popular activity there has been an integral part of heritage development. Boston has enforced a policy of continuous waterfront access and continues to work to reconnect its downtown to the waterfront. There are, however, challenges in the process. Successful waterfronts, Carmichael advised, require good programming, management, and maintenance to become identifiable destinations for residents or visitors. And, it is crucial to pay attention to what happens on both the waterside and the landside.

Traditional downtowns have also been an important value in the heritage development process. Preserving and revitalizing downtowns, big and small, has meant working against powerful trends toward suburbanization in general, and “big box” retail more specifically. Tom Moriarity suggested that planners use “the memory of the market” to preserve downtowns as an alternative to malls and power centers. Downtown won’t necessarily be like it was again, but it can provide people with something they have been missing in the suburbs. Evidence from Homer Russell’s Boston indicates that a compact, dense, lively downtown can be an attraction for everyone.

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