Historic Preservation and Neighbourhood Change

Abstract

Historical designation has become an important tool in efforts to revitalise central-city neighbourhoods. Yet designation has also come under scrutiny because of its presumed association with gentrification and displacement of lower-income residents. Using Fort Worth, Texas, as a case study, the paper asks whether historical designation is associated with demographic change in neighbourhoods. It is found that historically designated areas started out with slightly worse neighbourhood indicators than those without designation—a finding that is consistent with the idea that preservation efforts are targeted to areas in 'need' of revitalisation. However, we find no evidence that preservation efforts altered the demographic composition of neighbourhoods. This finding runs counter to the notion that historic preservation is a precursor to gentrification.