Executive Summary:
The Sustainability Behind Historic Preservation
A Final Project for ENR 4600/5600, Spring 2009
Team Members: Mary Nass and Amanda Vellia
Introduction:
Mary Nass and Amanda Vellia did their research on the sustainability behind
Historic Preservation. Nass is a Psychology major in her junior year at University of
Wyoming (UW). Vellia is a first-year graduate student earning an MA in American
Studies and Environment and Natural Resources. Acting as mentor, Mary Humstone,
instructor in the American Studies Department and key contact person for the Historic
Preservation concentration within American Studies, assisted Nass and Vellia with
networking within the field, and offering information sources. Several staff members at
UW and other Universities listed below were instrumental in providing specific
information.
Problems addressed:
With global climate change on the front of many agendas regarding sustainable
development, the preservation and reuse of older buildings is widely overlooked. The
embodied energy and carbon within existing buildings is beginning to gain more attention
from community planners when considering what constitutes a “green building”. Many
aspects of sustainable development can be enhanced by preservation practices. The 1987
U.N.’s Bruntland Commission report stated, “Sustainable development…meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.” By retrofitting older buildings with “green technologies”, future generations will
experience the heritage of their communities in a more sustainable manner.
Donovan Rypkema has been a highly influential member of the Historic
Preservation community, in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
interested in the connection of preservation and sustainability. Rypkema emphasizes the
environmental and economic sustainability benefits of preservation in conjunction with
the widely-known social heritage benefits. In 2006, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation has joined with other national organizations to create policies that integrate
Executive Summary, p.2
preservation ideals within sustainability goals. Considering their commitment to educate
future leaders of our country, universities should take a role as leaders in sustainable
development by including preservation within their long-range planning.
University campus planners have a responsibility to set an example to the
surrounding community and make sure measures are taken to ensure optimal efficiency
of energy use. At UW, the Facilities Planning Office is in the process of developing a
Long Range Development Plan that will maintain the historic character of Laramie. The
sustainability of the campus and surrounding community is of high priority, especially
when considering the American’s College and University President’s Climate
Commitment and the University’s dedication to reduce its energy use. This commitment
encourages campuses to act as role models of sustainable development practices within
their communities.
Approach:
We began by contacting members of the Historic Preservation Group to assess
their interest and expertise within the fields of preservation and sustainability. Our hopes
were to arrange a meeting between interested members of the group and the Campus
Sustainability Committee. Extensive research was conducted within the fields of historic
preservation and sustainable development. The information gleaned from these studies
provided support for our theory. To enhance our stance that preservation is in line with
sustainable development plans, we gathered information from peer institutions to
determine the feasibility of implementing these ideas within UW’s Long Range
Development Plan.
Peer institutions of UW have been utilizing historic preservation practices, where
possible, to ensure their area’s cultural heritage by preserving the look and feel of their
campuses. The University of Colorado, the University of Washington, Montana State
University, and the University of New Mexico all have their versions of Historic
Preservation Committees to advise the Facilities Development and Planning Offices with
regards to the handling of renovating historic campus properties. Although there are no
official committees within Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Idaho
State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Nebraska, each of these
Executive Summary, p.3
campuses consider preservation to be important to the revitalization of the community,
and have buildings listed or eligible for listing on the NRHP.
Suggestions:
In order to promote sustainable development, the re-use and “greening” of
existing older and historic buildings should be considered wherever possible. The
University owns a number of historic structures, and some of these are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Old Main, the Foundation House, Alumni House,
and the Cooper Mansion are examples of historic buildings that have been altered to
support new uses within the campus. These existing structures, along with others, help to
maintain the historic feel of the surrounding neighborhood, and help UW its imbedded
character. As the University plans to expand, it should consider maintaining and retrofitting the existing buildings, where possible, to meet high energy-efficiency standards.
Strong consideration should be given to ensure that the existing buildings truly cannot be
adapted to new uses before demolition and new construction occurs.