History / Preservation

Wal-Mart Proposed Near Civil War Site Angers Historians

A proposed Wal-Mart retail center near a Civil War battlefield in Virginia has preservationists up in arms.

August 25, 2009 - NPR

Accustomed to Decline, One Neighborhood in Flint Bucks Trend

Take two seemingly unrelated words: Flint and Gentrification. Now put them together. What you get is an unexpected rebirth in one part of the struggling city -- a neighborhood where home ownership and community investment are actually increasing.

August 21, 2009 - The New York Times

Troubled Florida Not Losing Hope Yet

With foreclosures racking up, the state of Florida is entering a dark period. Despite the dire prognosis, the stat'es historic ups and downs hint that Florida may be able to come back.

August 19, 2009 - The New York Times

Big Box Retail to Destroy Ancient Indian Mound

Officials in the city of Oxford, Alabama have approved the construction of a Sam's Club retail store that will use the dirt of a 1,500 year old Native American ceremonial mound as fill, arguing against reports of its historical significance.

August 5, 2009 - Grist

Jane Jacobs, NIMBY?

Howard Husock reads two new books on Jane Jacobs, which he says reveal the unexplored significance of Jacob's activist side, opening the doors to protesting the entire activity of city planning.

August 3, 2009 - City Journal

Lost City Found Near Venice

Through the use of infrared aerial photography, the lost ancient Roman city of Altinum has been found.

August 3, 2009 - Der Spiegel

Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses

A review by John King of Anthony Flint's new book, Wrestling With Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City.

July 29, 2009 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Architectural Heritage Endangered in Moscow

Moscow's architectural heritage is in danger, according to a new report on preservation in the city.

July 25, 2009 - Metropolis

The Battle Over a Historic L.A. Hotel

Preservationists and developers are deep in a dispute over the Century Plaza hotel in L.A. On the drawing board are two high rise towers, but defenders of the site argue the hotel's historic value trumps the benefit the new project would bring.

July 24, 2009 - The New York Times

Officials Protest as Wal-Mart Encroaches on Civil War Site

Plans to build a Wal-Mart and parking lot near a historic Civil War battlefield has spurred a bi-partisan protest from Virginia's top officials.

July 17, 2009 - The Washington Post

Historic Preservation for Tract Homes?

A resident of a Rancho Palos Verdes, CA development of 262 tract homes designed by Paul R. Williams, the first African-American architect in the AIA, is seeking an historic preservation measure to protect the 1950s-era homes.

July 16, 2009 - Daily Breeze

Prince Charles Quits Preservation Group

In the continuing battle between architects and Prince Charles, the Prince has resigned from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings after it rejected the foreword he had written for an upcoming handbook on restoration.

July 14, 2009 - The Independent (UK)

New Orleans Debates Highway To Boulevard Project

According to a new draft master plan, the Clairborne Expressway may be the next freeway to join the nation's growing highway to boulevard movement.

July 13, 2009 - The Times-Picayune

Emphasizing the Urban Angle of National Parks

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has said he wants to bring park programs back into the lives of urban dwellers. This piece argues that a good place for him to start is one of the few urban national parks at St. Louis' Gateway Arch.

July 13, 2009 - STL Today

Balancing Preservation and New Construction in Downtown Charleston

As the city of Charleston, SC works to develop a plan to guide future development along the eastern end of Calhoun Street from Marion Square to the SC Aquarium, preservationists express concerns about possible new guidelines.

July 9, 2009 - The Post & Courier

Putting Stimulus Dollars to Work

Economic improvement projects funded by the stimulus are moving full steam ahead -- in France.

July 8, 2009 - The New York Times

Does Destroying a Building Erase History?

The Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed in Tokyo in 1972 as part of the Japanese Metabolism movement in architecture, is facing destruction. Residents of the building have voted to demolish it and replace it with a modern structure.

July 8, 2009 - The New York Times

Bid to Build Museum in San Francisco's Historic Presidio Dropped

A controversial effort to develop a modern art museum in San Francisco's Presidio has come to an end.

July 5, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

St. Louis Opens New Art Park

Two vacant lots in downtown St. Louis have been revived as an urban art park, featuring works by world-renowned artists.

July 3, 2009 - ArchNewsNow

Investing In and Revising Mexico City's Center Square

Mexico City's Centro Historico is undergoing a broad redevelopment, which has resulted in more investment, more events, and more use. However, some there are worried that increased commercialization will tarnish the public square.

July 2, 2009 - Next American City

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