Abstract
The demand for historic preservation continues to grow as the potential economic as well as the social and cultural benefits of these activities become more recognized by preservationists, public and private sectors, and individuals. This study examines four successful cases of historic American cities: St. Augustine, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Williamsburg, Virginia. The central research question here is: "What are the factors that most contribute to the success of historic preservation in each city?" In order to develop answers to this question, the study proposes nine factors: 1) Economic viability of the city, 2) Economic viability of the city's region, 3) Accessibility, 4) Local citizen commitment, 5) Local government commitment, 6) State government commitment, 7) Federal government commitment, 8) Private sector funding and support, and 9) Location of the historic district. The main purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which these factors have been instrumental in the protection and development of historic preservation; and to determine the relative importance of these factors. The method used to achieve the objectives of the study included these steps: 1) obtaining background information from secondary data sources such as government documents, historic preservation records, technical studies, and special reports relevant to the subject; 2) a structured questionnaire was administered regarding the nine factors to persons involved in historic preservation activities. Several findings of the study are considered to be of significance according to the interviewees responses. First, the factors rated as most important by the majority of the respondents in the four cases are: 1) economic viability of the city's region, 2) accessibility, 3) private sector funding and support, 4) local citizen commitment, and 5) location of the historic district within the city. Second, other factors vary in their perceived importance among the cities, reflecting different historical and social circumstances. For example, the roles of local, state, and federal governments are rated at different level of importance in the four cases. Finally, this study finds that recognition of the historical significance of the city by its leaders and citizens is a common trait in all four cases.
Said, Asad Abdelkarim (1987). Factors contributing to the success of historic preservation and restoration in four historic American cities. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -746827.