Blog 7: What do you think are the most important lessons to be learned from NY?

I think the most important lessons to be learned for New York is the implications of urban renewal and historical preservation. Both play a major role in our culture and can contribute to society in a positive or negative manner. Urban renewal is a part of our future. To grow as a society, we must change the city with us. Sometimes that means taking out what is deemed “bad,” for example a slum. I think it is important to replace these areas, but still provide affordable housing to the people that might get pushed out. No one should be pushed to the streets due to urban renewal; they should just be given a nicer and affordable place to live. I also think that historical preservation is a very important aspect of any city or town. Preserving the past will allow the future to look back on what happened. Having a historical building in a town or city not only adds character but it tells a story. I think it is important to reuse the historic buildings. It keeps a piece of the past working throughout the present and hopefully the future. If the building is slightly remodeled in order to fit the requirements of today, then there is no wasting of materials. In ways this is a better/sustainable option for the environment. Instead of tearing something down and creating waste and producing more materials to build something else, a historic building can be preserved and used by the people of the present.