Last week, Preservation Maryland and its statewide program, Smart Growth Maryland, convened in Brunswick, Maryland for a first-of-its-kind roundtable discussion on the intersection of smart growth, historic preservation, and affordable housing.
Legacy cities like Charleston and New Orleans are no strangers to the economic and cultural benefits of historic preservation. For many main streets, it spurs growth and investment, bringing new businesses, residents, and tourists. The cities with some of the oldest preservation movements have seen these benefits for more than 100 years.
One of the primary goals of the Smart Growth movement is to create density where development already exists, which can prevent sprawl and preserve greenspaces. Smart Growth Maryland is eager to encourage infill redevelopment, which takes underutilized lots and land in urbanized areas and returns them to efficient use. While the concept is straightforward, there are a number of approaches to accomplishing effective infill redevelopment. Read on to find out more about four common initiatives communities across the countries use to encourage infill.
Before we delve into the barriers to and incentives for Smart Growth and infill redevelopment in our upcoming blog series, here is a refresher on a simple but important question: What does Smart Growth have to do with Historic Preservation?
At first glance the two might seem like very different movements, but a closer look reveals a significant overlap in their strategies and goals. The following PreserveCast episodes explore this intersection, from creating density through infill redevelopment to developing resilient and sustainable communities through adaptive re-use and transit-oriented design.
Building Small: Socially Responsible and Resilient Placemaking with Jim Heid
Building Resilient Communities and Saving History with Senator Sarah Elfreth
Sustainability, Equity, and Preservation: A Conversation with Dr. Erica Avrami