<div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">This article really challenges some of our core assumptions about sustainability and the built environment. Historic Preservation and sustainability really go hand-in-hand. As Mr. Rypkema says, "<strong>Razing historic buildings results in a triple hit
on scarce resources.</strong> <strong>First, we are throwing away
thousands of
dollars of embodied energy. Second, we are replacing it with materials
vastly
more consumptive of energy.</strong> What are most historic houses built
from?
Brick, plaster, concrete and timber. What are among the least energy
consumptive
of materials? Brick, plaster, concrete and timber. What are major
components of
new buildings? Plastic, steel, vinyl and aluminum. What are among the
most
energy consumptive of materials? Plastic, steel, vinyl and aluminum.
<strong>Third, recurring embodied energy savings increase dramatically
as a
building life stretches over fifty years.</strong>
You’re a fool or
a fraud if you say you are
an environmentally conscious builder and yet are throwing away historic
buildings,
and their components."</span></h1><h1 align="center"> <strong>Economic Benefits of Preservation
Session, “Sustainability and Historic Preservation”</strong> by
Donovan Rypkema </h1>
<img alt="Donovan Rypkema" src="http://www.preservation.org/rypkema.jpg" align="left">
<p align="left">Donovan Rypkema, Principal of <a href="http://www.placeeconomics.com/index.html" target="new">
PlaceEconomics</a>, was educated at Columbia
University, where he received a Masters of Science degree in Historic
Preservation. He has lectured widely on economic and preservation
issues
relating to rehabilitation, community development and commercial
revitalization.
His specific fields of consultation include feasibility analyses for
real estate
and market analysis, economic revitalization of downtowns and
neighborhood
commercial centers, and the rehabilitation of historic structures. He
is author of several
publications, including Community Initiated Development, The Economics
of Rehabilitation, the Downtown
Real Estate Development Series and others. His articles have appeared
in numerous periodicals and journals. His book, The
Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader’s Guide, (The
National Trust
for Historic Preservation, 1994) is now in its second printing and is
widely used
by preservationists nationwide.</p>
<p align="left"><em> The article below contains excerpts from Donovan D.
Rypkema’s presentation, Sustainability, Smart Growth and Historic
Preservation,
given at the Historic Districts Council Annual Conference in New York
City, on
March 10, 2007.</em></p><p align="left"><br></p><p></p><p>A Broadway producer who once told an aspiring playwright, “If you
can’t write
your idea on the back of my business card, you don’t have a clear idea.”
So I’m
going to begin by giving you this entire presentation at a length you
can put on
the back of your business card.</p>
<p><strong>1. Sustainable development is crucial for
economic competitiveness.</strong>
</p>
<p><strong> 2. Sustainable development has more
elements than just environmental responsibility.</strong>
</p>
<p><strong>3. “Green buildings” and sustainable development
are not synonyms.</strong>
</p>
<p><strong>4. Historic preservation is, in and of itself,
sustainable development.</strong>
</p>
<p><strong>5. Development without a historic preservation
component is not sustainable.</strong>
</p><p><b>To read the entire article, click the link below:</b></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><a href="http://www.preservation.org/rypkema.htm">http://www.preservation.org/rypkema.htm</a></p></div><div><br></div><div><br clear="all">
Sharon Astrin<br>L A N D + F O R M<br>Whole Systems Land Use Planning and Design<br>229 Edgemere Court<br>Oklahoma City, OK 73118<br>Cell: 405.226.0255<br><a href="http://www.landandform.net">www.landandform.net</a><br>
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