Economic Argument for Historic Preservation in L.A.: Older Housing is Affordable Housing

Donovan Rypkema and Adrian Scott Fine highlight myth-busting findings on the impacts of historic preservation overlay zones (HPOZs) on affordability, density, diversity, and economic resilience of neighborhoods across Los Angeles.

1 minute read

March 20, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Clare Letmon


Glendale, California

Britta Gustafson / Flickr

With state efforts to increase new housing production threatening local processes for identifying and preserving historic sites, buildings, and neighborhoods, the LA Conservancy, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration, recently published Preservation Positive Los Angeles. The study’s goal: to unpack the economic impacts of historic preservation in Los Angeles. 

TPR interviewed the report’s author, Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, and LA Conservancy’Adrian Scott Fine, to highlight the report’s myth-busting findings on the impacts of HPOZs on affordability, density, diversity, and economic resilience of neighborhoods across Los Angeles. Rypkema reminds state policymakers that preserving old, dense housing inherently preserves what the state asserts it most needs: affordable housing. Rypkema points out: 

"In LA, you have to build more housing, but step one is to—designation or not—quit tearing down stuff that provides affordable housing." —Donovan Rypkema

To read the full article or subscribe, visit The Planning Report.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight