Historic Preservation and the Imagined West Historic preservation is naturally arbitrated to be a sound investment. Historic preservation is very efficient and cost-effective in preserving historic structures than to build a new one. Landmark and district designation in history sustains the value of the property and it is also an economical tool, historical preservation has therefore proved it is value. Though the effects are quantifiable, whether direct or indirect, historic preservation has proved to be of worth to the economy. Most people have different perceptions when they observe buildings which have been developed into sophiscated homes. The author .Dr .Judy has affirmed that what one is able to perceive is what one will opt to do. He says that, a diminutive and well thought planning and a vision can restructure a neighborhood’s figure and therefore reshape a city’s sense of its own history. Dr. Morley looks into five projects that have been preserved in the three western cities. The old town in Albuquerque, Larimer Square and lower Downtown in Denver, the pike place market and Pioneer Square in Seattle. The buildings provide a sophisticated and complementary image to the cities (Morley Mattivi Judy 150). Historical preservation in the east was more advanced than in the west. The west concentrated much on economical development as opposed to the historical preservation. However, the planners from the western part together with other activist used the historic preservation in creating civic identities. The historic preservations to be used were to be obtained from the post colonial war. The historic preservation in these cities was very significant as it revived some of the aspects in the economy which had ailed for quite a long period of time. Some of the aspects which were mostly affected by the historic preservations comprised of the districts which were centrally placed within the cities and were merely meant for business purpose. The preservation also attracted commerce within the city which extensively propped up tourism .This established an exceptional civic identity. The historic preservation misshapen the cities into being preserved and the end results was not merely meant for preserving the history perspective but to create a civic identity. Planners and activists from the west were trying all the ways and means to define the civic identity and at the same time the historic preservation was changing gradually. Historic preservation in the past was merely the responsibility of the women and they carried out the process during their leisure time. For instance the only known historic preservation was in the Mount Vernon Ladies Association which was established in 1853. It was meant in preserving the Washington’s city situated in Virginia .for all this period until the early 1940s, they were no competitive city planners and activists as most of the people were mostly involved in carrying out community service work. Historic preservation took it due course after the second world war where the preservations was to be shifted to the city centers and young men were trained on the preservation methods. The city centers were to be given a new face and therefore, historic preservation had to shift from the landmarks to the historic districts in the city centers (I.G.I 100). The process was to be shifted from the single landmarks to the cities since most of the building s prior to 1939 involved single buildings. This was the period when some of the cities, for instance Seattle and others emerged. Immediately after the Second World War, all or any historical event that had taken place before went to a stop. For instance the districts which had been developed within the cities merely meant for business purposes collapsed. The historic preservation brought a great impact to the physical appearance in the districts. For example there was a street which was mainly used for commercial purposes in the region and this was terminated from operating. Also the malls, banks and small business enterprises were moved out of the town towards the outskirts of the city. The historical preservation required resources in order to maintain and sustain it and therefore ways and means were to be developed. One of the ways which endorsed the project was the collection made from the taxes which was levied on business enterprises and city residential dwellers. The planers from the city councils and the government endorsed the preservation idea and this played a significant role towards the growth of the cities. Their was a great variance between the historic preservation from the Landmarks ,in that historic preservation was ideally for preserving old building which were considered unworthy and therefore had no significance even to themselves .when all this were combined they could come up with the ambience of the city. In the city of Denver Latimer Square, there was no any outstanding building which was meant or associated with any known person or any event. However, the city still upheld it is significance by exhibiting it is features which still attracted the visitors. Therefore, the districts were meant to revive the cities which for a long period of time had ailed. The city of Seattle initiative to commitment to historic preservation started with the community’s efforts during the 1960s and this was merely meant to end the demolition of the some buildings which focused on the renewal of the urban areas. Blocking the demolition of the buildings would in a way dilapidate most of the Pioneer Square buildings situated in the downtown. The Pioneer Square survived the demolition due to the city councils efforts which were also secured by the Seattle’s council. In 1973, Seattle entered into an agreement with the landmark preservation Ordinance and this was meant in safeguarding the historic and architectural significance all over the city of Seattle. Presently, the city has numerous structures and historical sites and this have been selected as to range from Ward House, which is one of the oldest an outstanding residential to the ultramodern Space Needle. The Albuquerque city has upheld the historic preservation in a much wider way which has attracted much interest and activities in the city. Each building within the city has significant structures and some of them which are in the downtown have been renovated and used for other economical purposes in the city. Numerous historical buildings and districts have been identified and accepted by the National Register of Historic and this safeguards them from being altered and demolished. In the past, the city had no developments in the historical preservation as the preservation was limited to the Old Town. As the city initiated a program meant for preserving the historical sites, the landmarks were lost and this meant an end to some of the buildings within the city. In 1973, the historic landmarks were formed as a result of the committee which was involved with artistic works within the city. The process of identifying the oldest building which existed between First World War and the second world commenced and this was surveyed from house to house. The process ended up in 1983. Actions from federal and government have supported the idea of the historic preservation. The city uses revenue from tax to maintain and sustain the preservations. In 1980, the tax credit was at 25% and also the historical preservation restrictions resulted into more renovations in Albuquerque city and all over the country. Though, the combined effort from the government and planners resulted into quality preservations of the city, they have slowed down over the period up to 1990. However the architects and planners took the initiative of continued renovation of the city by preserving the historical sites as they had realized the value and significance of the historical sites. Buildings in the downtown of Albuquerque, and along the central in Nob Hill and also from the west of the downtown have been revived. The city has played a significant role in enhancing local preservation, for instance the city has bought and revitalized the Kimo Theater and has used a lot of resources in developing and restoring the city (Hurley Andrew 2000). Despite of the increased efforts to renovate the city there are some drawbacks which have dragged the developments. Lack of resources in renovating the buildings is one of major issue that has dragged the process. Another contributing factor is that the renovation mostly takes a great deal of time which may also be contributes by unreliable staff. The city is highly appreciated in New Mexico and this has contributed greatly towards it is expansion and it is continued growth will also depend on the public appreciation and the benefits attributed to it. .Work cited Morley Mattivi Judy. Historic Preservation & the Imagined West: Albuquerque, Denver, & Seattle, Chicago: Publisher University of Kansas, 2010. Icon Group International, .Denver: Webster’s Quotations, Facts and Phrase, Compiled by Group International, New York: ICON Group International, 2008. Hurley Andrew, .Beyond Preservation: Using Public History to Revitalize Inner Cities Urban Life, Landscape and Policy, New York: Temple University Press, 2010.