Historic Preservation and the Imagined West - Essay Example

Historic Preservation and the Imagined West The historical preservation and the imagined West is a study that has been added to the burgeoning field of historic preservation studies as was narrated by Morley (24). The story is narrated on the fall and rise of a neighborhood containing three cities of the American west. The study involved the Albuquerque, Denver and the Seattle cities in which Morley (27) emphasized the significance of historic districts for civic identity which occurred in Western communities. This historical study is an identification of the Western and their ideology in believing that identity is a created concept, led to the preservation of the whole process. This paper gives an evaluation of the effect on the historic preservation on the Denver, Seattle and Albuquerque cities as well as a comparison of the different projects that were started in the cities. The historic preservation and the imagined West are intriguing story which had a great impact on the people who came from the three cities. As the narration describes, there was a focus on urban preservation which in turn led to architectural preservation of certain symbolic buildings such as chambers of commerce, boosters and city planners (Morley, 30). The focus on this showed how the city developers had taken initiative on how to re-create the Western past into a shopping center as well as tourist trips. In a close examination of the three cities, Morley (45) describes that the detail of the historic preservation campaigns in the cities of Albuquerque, Denver and Seattle proposes that economic development was the main mover behind any project that was implemented. However, as it may be perceived in the story of Morley, the common theme of identity that is running with Morley story is economic and not cultural as it may appear. In as much as the narration of the Morley (49) story may be based on the historical preservation but the fundamental goal for the preservation was always to attract more people from outside. The essence of this was to compensate for the industrial decline and commercial stagnation. Also, another effect of preservation led to persuasion by reluctant politicians as well as property owners on the importance of refurbishing old buildings as more profitable that the act of demolishing them (Morley, 60). The successful implementation of this move led to the commencement of many projects with the attempt to reward higher property values, rents, business income and general beauty especially in the historical buildings (Morley, 111). The trademark of the three cities was the unique architectural style, public ceremonies, cultural traditions and above all some of the historic preservation movement. This served a great interest in the ethnic identity as well as an icon for tourist image. The effect of historic preservation of the three cities in the West also generated contest on the use of city space. As narrated by Morley (129) it also produced a vital neighborhood that quickly became more important to the identity of the three cities that is Albuquerque, Denver and Seattle. This achievement was brought about through the growth of the Western cities together which afterward played a pivotal role in the urban revitalization. The book has addressed the issues of historic preservation and Western urban growth in a very systemic manner (Morley, 140). The description has examined the interchange of preservation, identity and tourism which further relates to the economic, political and social issues which helped change the historic districts in cities full of many imaginations. The Catholic Church has played a role in the Western civilization and they have been involved in the forefront as one of the individuals or groups which were the most influential in determining these districts’ current uses and appearance. In the history of the formation of the Western societies, the church has been a major source of social services such as medical care and schooling which are necessary for the growth and development of a place (Morley, 177). However, it is evident that the West is not entirely Catholic but still the Catholic heritage has remained strong in Western countries. Also, the National Historic Preservation Act is one of the bodies which played a role in influencing and development of the Albuquerque, Denver and Seattle into the current state and appearance. It was through the legislature by this body that led to the preservation of historical and archaeological sites in the West (Morley, 187). The legislation could prevent individuals from selling certain buildings that were perceived to be the site for tourist. The national historic preservation act also led to major changes in the employment sector and in the preservation of the field. It was through this body that the historians, archeologist and architects among others became employed in large numbers in the field of cultural resource management. In as much as many developments as well as achievements were made through the historic preservation initiative, Morley (198) proposes that there are certain activities that did not work in the process of saving and reusing these communities and buildings. Much effort was needed to transition the National Trust from advocacy to working in Albuquerque, Denver and Seattle cities in order to help them overcome their hardships in restoring their courthouses. In addition, Morley (209) continues to add that there were no enough funds to help people reuse and even restore their buildings. This was because of the numerous ongoing projects in different phases of restoration or reuse hence there was no resources for others. At the long time before the initiation of historic preservation of the imagined West, the cities were generally organized into a mixed single neighborhood (Morley, 415). However, with the commencement of urbanization brought about by certain individuals and organizations, the cities started to extend outward along transit lines. This allowed for the growth of new pedestrian communities including but not limited to streetcar suburbs and many other communities which effected the change of the cities (Morley, 423). After the World War II, urban planning was adopted which aimed at using the zoning to separate residential from the commercial and industrial development. The zoning method allowed for the construction of low density single family houses which was preferred by the middle class individuals. The new system of government led to led to more separations of the settlement with different communities preferring certain regions. It was during this period when organized movements arose, activist and thinkers also began to criticize most activities that were not accepted by them. Also, it was during this time that modern theories emerged including social philosophers. The aim of this was to criticize the individuals who were anti-urban or whose ideology could not be used to technically to plan for the city or put into practice as one of the laws to govern the city. Work cited Morley, Judy Mattivi. Historic Preservation & the Imagined West: Albuquerque, Denver, & Seattle. University Press of Kansas, 2006. Read More