Urban grain, sustainability & heritage: The metrics of buildings and neighborhoods

Abstract eng:
Traditionally in the United States, the value of buildings is measured through their historical, cultural or architectural significance that has emerged from the established traditions of historic preservation policy. This paper suggests critical alternative paths for the preservation and reuse of older, existing buildings. First the paper proposes that the environmental value of buildings is critical and buildings must be understood as valuable repositories of energy and materials. The paper then suggests these buildings contribute to older, fine grained neighborhoods – ones that were developed before the dependence on the automobile – and are examples of walkable, vibrant neighborhood fabric. Currently these neighborhoods are disappearing at an alarming rate across American cities in the name of urban density and under the premise that non ‘historic’ buildings hold little value. Using new metrics as a way to understand the value of buildings repositions the way we consider the urban built environment for a more collective, sustainable future.

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