New research seeks to provide a better understanding of the relationship between historic preservation and neighborhood change in the LGBTQ community.

In an article in Planning Magazine, Kelly Kinahan and Matthew H. Ruther discuss their research into "the relationship between locally designated and National Register historic districts, and demographic, socioeconomic, and housing changes in 46 U.S. cities," with a particular focus on "unmarried partnered same-sex households (UPSSHs), racial and ethnic subgroups, and median household income."
Their findings showed that in historic districts created in the 1990s, "when historic districts are in place, significant growth in UPSSHs follows," indicating that "planners concerned with protecting queer spaces should consider incorporating preservation-based approaches, including establishing local and National Register historic districts to preserve these spaces." The results also showed that "the presence of male UPSSHs increases the likelihood of locally designated historic districts," which "could suggest that male UPSSHs are key actors in the creation of locally designated historic districts, which aligns with the theory that gay men use historic preservation tools to demarcate space and power. Locally designated historic districts offer a more direct means of land control through the regulations outlined within the ordinances that govern changes to the district's built environment, which differ from NRHDs' mostly honorific status." Lastly, while historic designation seems to cause long-term displacement of racial and ethnic subgroups, the same does not hold true for UPSSHs.
The authors acknowledge the limitations of studying UPSSHs exclusively, reminding planners to "work with neighborhood residents to ensure all LGBTQ social histories and those of other historically marginalized groups are included in the significance statements for new historic district designations where appropriate."
"A more robust understanding of how preservation tools relate to neighborhood change — particularly among sexual, racial, and ethnic minority communities — can help planners as they grapple with the potentially negative effects of gentrification and displacement that could result from historic district designation." The authors hope that their research "will help practicing planners understand trends associated with historic preservation efforts and pinpoint interventions needed in historic districts to mitigate potentially negative outcomes for these demographic groups."
FULL STORY: Historic Preservation and the LGBTQ Community

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences
Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions