Stewardship of the Built Environment: Sustainability, Preservation, and Reuse

by Robert A. Young, Carl Elefante (Foreword by)

Overview

When we think of green building, we tend to picture new construction. But Robert A. Young argues that the greenest building is often the one that has already been built. In Stewardship of the Built Environment, he shows how rehabilitating and reusing existing structures holds untapped potential for achieving sustainable communities. Students and professionals alike will discover the multifaceted benefits of reuse.
 
Young begins by describing how historic preservation in the United States, often overlooked because of  the predominant focus on new construction, is actually an important sustainable design strategy. He then examines the social, environmental, and economic benefits of preservation—from the societal value of reusing existing buildings to financial incentives available for rehabilitation. Young concludes with insights into the future of reusing buildings as a sustainability strategy. He also provides several informative appendices, including a glossary of key terms and acronyms and recommendations for further reading.
 
Readers will become familiar with essential terminology; sustainability and historic preservation metrics; government oversight processes; and opportunities for smart growth afforded by rehabilitation. This knowledge is key to preserving the past while building a sustainable future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610911801
Publisher:	Island Press
Publication date:	07/18/2012
Series:	Metropolitan Planning + Design
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Robert A. Young is Professor of Architecture and Director of the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning and is a LEED accredited professional engineer.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xxi

1 Overview and Introduction 1

Stewardship of the Built Environment 2

Application of SEE to the Built Environment 5

Social Contributions of Preservation and Reuse 11

Environmental Contributions of Preservation and Reuse 22

Economic Contributions of Preservation and Reuse 31

Sustainable Stewardship 37

2 Social Factors 41

Seeking Urbanism: Social Implications for Preservation and Reuse 41

Perspectives from Europe 52

Preservation Tools and Processes 55

Sociopolitical Framework 68

Collaborative Practice 71

Connecting the Dots 73

3 Environmental Factors 79

Environmental Indicators 80

Architectural Form as Environmental Control 98

Increasing Sustainability 115

4 Economic Factors 137

Economic Incentives 137

Economic Planning and Development Tools 160

Economic Indicators 161

5 Putting It All Together 169

Creating Community: Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah 170

Affirming the Environmental Contribution: Christman Company

Headquarters, Lansing, Michigan 176

Creating an Economic Catalyst: The Old Post Office, St. Louis, Missouri 182

Lessons Learned 186

Future Directions and Imperatives 187

Appendix A Abbreviations 193

Appendix B Recommendations for Further Reading 196

References 207

Index 221

Editorial Reviews

"The underlying call for a paradigm of 'stewardship of the build environment' has broad relevance."

Spacing

"It will be very difficult for anyone to leave historic preservation out of an overall sustainability strategy after reading this book. Stewardship of the Built Environment does a great deal to explain the interconnectedness between old buildings, sustainability, energy use and economics, and underscores the critical role old buildings play in a healthy built environment."

Senior VP, Policy and Advocacy, Municipal Arts Society NYC - Ronda Wist

"For twenty years advocates for so-called 'green buildings' have focused almost exclusively on new construction, ignoring the environmental contributions of the existing building stock. Worse yet, historic buildings were dismissed as energy hogs that should be razed and replaced with green gizmo structures. They were wrong. And Robert Young amply refutes their foolishness in his excellent new book."

principal, PlaceEconomics - Donovan Rypkema

"It is difficult to imagine that a planner could work effectively in neighborhood redevelopment or real estate as well without the comprehensive knowledge Young presents in the book."

Journal of Planning Education and Research

"In Stewardship of the Build Environment: Sustainability, Preservation, and Reuse, author Robert A. Youn takes a philosophical look at the role of historic preservation in the ongoing push toward more sustainable buildings and communities. Supported by countless case studies of buildings that got it right, Young's in-depth analysis of the many factors that go into making a building sustainable (everything from location to energy usage) is a must-read for anyone interested in preservation's role in the green movement."

Old-House Journal

"This book makes an important contribution to the literature about the intersection of historic preservation and sustainability. The stewardship of the built environment is simultaneously an act of preservation and sustainability. Stewardship is the core. Young explores both the warp and woof of the rich tapestry of sustainable stewardship, illustrating both its vertical and horizontal relationships."

FAIA, in his foreword - Carl Elefante

"In Stewardship of the Build Environment: Sustainability, Preservation, and Reuse, author Robert A. Youn takes a philosophical look at the role of historic preservation in the ongoing push toward more sustainable buildings and communities. Supported by countless case studies of buildings that got it right, Young's in-depth analysis of the many factors that go into making a building sustainable (everything from location to energy usage) is a must-read for anyone interested in preservation's role in the green movement."

Old-House Journal

This book makes an important contribution to the literature about the intersection of historic preservation and sustainability.  The stewardship of the built environment is simultaneously an act of preservation and sustainability.  Stewardship is the core.  Young explores both the warp and woof of the rich tapestry of sustainable stewardship, illustrating both its vertical and horizontal relationships.

— Carl Elefante, FAIA

From the Foreword

"The underlying call for a paradigm of 'stewardship of the build environment' has broad relevance."

Spacing Vancouver - Vanessa Kay