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Degree

MS ARCH, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art, & Planning : Architecture, 2001.

Abstract

Although the major focus of the American preservation movement has been in cities, preserving traditional small towns and villages has also been important. An increasing sensitivity to environmental issues has given small town preservation greater support than at any time in its history. However, there is not much research about ideas in small town preservation. The aim of this thesis is to discuss the history and theory of preservation in American small towns since the 1960's, giving a systematic review on this movement. The first part of the paper presents the development of thinking in historic preservation since the 1950's. The idea of preserving the historical and cultural patrimony is not new, but the significance of historic preservation has broadened substantially in past half century. The paper discusses its background and its various forms in order to understand how it has evolved, especially since the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. The second part considers the specific issues related to small towns, the special economic, cultural, and architectural issues that affect preservation efforts in communities of less than 20,000 inhabitants. The thesis looks at the American small town and its diverse representations in both highbrow and popular culture from a number of angles, exploring the meaning of the sense of community and the sense of the land in small towns. This study also presents detailed accounts of what two American small towns have accomplished, illustrating why, what and how preservation occurs in specific contexts and circumstances. A concluding section generalizes from the experience of American small town preservation, comparing it to the situation of Chinese traditional towns and villages. As China left the 20th Century behind it saw the beginnings of a "Post-Industrial" movement stimulating economic development and social interest in its smallest towns, villages and hamlets. Despite their small size, these places harbor important historic buildings that are at risk due to the forces of modernization. The paper concludes by offering some suggestions for the present Chinese situation, based on the history and experience of American small town preservation.

Subject Headings

Architecture

Keywords

small town America; historic preservation; architecture and urban planning in small towns; sense of the small town; small town preservation in China

Advisor

John Hancock

Pages

1p.

Document number: ucin998075546
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998075546