Question

article on importance of preserving our historical monuments

Answer 1

This articles is not about innovation and progress in architecture. It is not about creating new, but about keeping the old instead.

As I recently noticed, there has been insufficient respect to our old architectural monuments in the media around the world. Articles appeared tackling the topics of new innovative designs and modern architecture projects. However, lacking attention to our heritage.

The popular opinion has been that it is more simple, beneficial and cheaper to build new buildings instead of preserving the old ones. Demolish the crumbling shack and construct a shiny skyscraper. You cannot escape the progress, or can you? I want to tackle this topic and remind of the often forgotten benefits of keeping our heritage intact.

First of all, preservation and restoration plays a cultural role. Old buildings teach us about the history that happened before we were born and promotes the respect for those who lived in different times and different societies. Architectural monuments cultivates pride of our past and heritage making us unique in the world. For Paris is knows for the Eiffel tower, London for the Big Ben and etc. Historical structures bring character and certain charm to the neighborhood that people live in. Moreover, restoring an old building is often way cheaper than building the new one. Just think of all the costs you can save on creative project team, interior décor and other things that were initially already thought of in the old structure.

Secondly, economy is an important merit of keeping the old. Architectural monuments are great attractors of tourists. Everyone likes to experience the “spirit” of the place, which most often is represented through architecture. Tourists can provide locals with jobs and extra income. Restoring locally important historical structures generates workplaces for both local people and international experts. Restoration works require more skills and knowledge than simple building and thus result in higher salaries and also contribute to boosting the economy.

Finally, it is environmentally friendly. Building new green buildings and energy-saving houses is important, but restoring the old ones is as “green” as it can get. Preservation and restoration is the ultimate form of recycling. It helps reduce construction waste and save the energy that is usually spent on manufacturing and transporting building materials and tools.

Hopefully, these short points will make you think of an decaying oldie not as an object of demolition but as an opportunity of reborn and contribution to the local wellbeing.