Most people would agree that buildings represent a valuable record of any
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃsociety s past, but controversy arises when old buildings stand on ground
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃthat modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes.
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃIn your opinion, which is more important-preserving historic buildings or
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃencouraging modern development? Explain your position, using reasons and
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃexamples based on your own experiences, observations, or reading. (新与
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃ旧)
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃThe issue of whether to raze an old, historic building to make way for
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃprogress is a complex one, since it involves a conflict between our
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃinterest in preserving our culture, tradition, and history and a legitimate
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃneed to create practical facilities that serve current utilitarian
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃpurposes. In my view, the final judgment should depend on a case-by-case
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃanalysis of two key factors.
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃOne key factor is the historic value of the building. An older building may
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃbe worth saving because it uniquely represents some bygone era. On the
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃother hand, if several older buildings represent the era just as
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃeffectively, then the historic value of one building might be negligible.
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃIf the building figured centrally into the city s history as a municipal
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃstructure, the home of a founding family or other significant historical
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃfigure, or the location of important events, then its historic value would
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃbe greater than if its history was an unremarkable one.
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃThe other key factor involves the specific utilitarian needs of the
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃcommunity and the relative costs and benefits of each alternative in light
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃof those needs. For example, if the need is mainly for more office space,
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃthen an architecturally appropriate add-on or annex might serve just as
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃwell as a new building. On the other hand, an expensive retrofit may not be
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃworthwhile if no amount of retrofitting would permit it to serve the
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃdesired function- Moreover, retrofitting might undermine the historic value
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃof the old building by altering its aesthetic or architectural integrity.
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃIn sum, neither modernization for its own sake nor indiscriminate
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃpreservation of old buildings should guide decisions in the controversies
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃat issue. Instead, decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis)
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃconsidering historic value, community need, and the comparative costs and
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃbenefits of each alternative
ã7`j&def¹forum.pre-mbaclub.com4K¨H ÂÃ