“Actions are better than words.” Since the establishment of The Culture and Heritage Commission in 2000, the Hong Kong Government has been trying to review the situation and devise policies for conservation for Hong Kong. Various Government departments had prepared working papers or research reports to review the problems on heritage conservation and the limitations of our system since 2000. One of the obvious restrictions in the system is the existing conservation legislation. Notwithstanding the announcement of the built heritage conservation policy by the former Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, in 2007, the Government still takes no active and comprehensive measures in reviewing and amending the legislation. As Mr. Donald Tsang once said, collective memory is a great concern of the public in Hong Kong. It seems that if the conservation legislation is not on the agenda for review in the near future, some of the heritage buildings under threat will really become our collective memory. This dissertation will aim at giving an introduction of the existing conservation legislation of Hong Kong and from a brief case comparison with the conservation legislation in Macau and Singapore, one is not difficult to identify the limitations of our existing legislation and the areas for improvement. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

This thesis explores the opportunities and constraints to community based planning for neighbourhood conservation in the context of an expanding urban core, using the Mole Hill planning process and draft Concept Plan as a case study. In response to previous public processes, and increasing community activism against top-down revitalization, City of Vancouver Planning Staff were directed in April 1996, to undertake a participatory planning process in order to develop conservation strategies for Mole Hill which balance physical, social, environmental and economic goals. Drawing from a broad range of literature on urban conservation and post-industrial urban change, this thesis begins by providing a rationale for area-based urban conservation within the context of post-war North American and European cities. Further, it outlines some of the conflicts arising from conservation, primarily those conflicts relating to post-war economic restructuring and corresponding socio-economic changes in inner cities specifically, gentrification. The thesis uses cases from inner city communities in Vancouver and New York to examine contemporary trends in neighbourhood conservation, and to explore those elements which contribute to a locally focused and sustainable conservation and revitalization strategy. Three characteristics of successful neighbourhood conservation schemes are abstracted by way of a literature review and are subsequently used as a framework to analyse the Mole Hill case study. These characteristics are: a focus on local involvement; multi-dimensional programs and policies; and an ongoing collaborative approach. The case study reveals the complex and contentious nature of planning for conservation within an expanding urban context. The multiplicity of players, the exigency of issues, the amount and availability of resources, and the often adversarial positions demonstrate the fragmented and complex quality of planning in this context. The study found that in Mole Hill a reliance on top-down methods for conflict negotiation and decision making undermined the effectiveness of the community based model and ultimately led to a fractured set of policies and principles for the neighbourhood. Tensions which were created by a misapplication of power resulted in a polarization between a "Staff' position and a "Working Group" position, thus diluting the idea of a consensus based, collaborative process. Despite these setbacks, a multi-agency and multi-interest approach to the process achieved a number of positive principles and strategies which attempt to address the site as a comprehensive whole, bringing the goals of heritage conservation closer to those of housing and community needs. Finally, the case showed that by drawing on existing community knowledge and expertise the process was able to generate innovative ideas such as those which involve local reinvestment and community economic development initiatives which are directed at social and physical improvement. These ideas challenge traditional notions of conservation and revitalization — which often rely on outside capital investment and /or economic incentives to support conservation — and provide a foundation for more culturally appropriate and sustainable strategies for community based neighbourhood conservation.

This creative project consists of a historic sites and structures inventory and preservation planning recommendations for the town of Auburn, Indiana. It is prepared in a format similar to that of the Indiana Sites and Structures Inventories prepared for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Historic Preservation, by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The text discusses the methodology used in the collection of the inventory data, the evaluation procedure and recommendations for the establishment of historic preservation districts, along with alternative methods for their implementation. The inventory data is organized by proposed districts, followed by a listing of most significant structures outside of the proposed districts.Also included, is a brief history of Auburn and a discussion of the predominate residential architectural styles as found in Auburn. Included in the Appendices are a complete listing of those areas of Auburn outside of the proposed historic districts identified; information on potential historic districts dating from the 1920's to 1930's; and planning data, which includes a summary of the current zoning ordinance, and population and housing data. / Department of Urban Planning

This creative project has investigated the development potential of the "trackside" area as defined in the project. The project site is located on the south end of the central business district of Muncie. The area contains many historically significant buildings such as; the Federal Building, Robert's Hotel, Cohen Block, Marsh Building, Goddard Warehouse and Union Station to name a few. The study included an inventory process of existing conditions, urban spaces, building significants, figure ground study, assets and liabilities and analysis.This inventory process formed the basis for the urban design proposal which indicates the development potential of the area. The overall proposal is broken down into four sub-areas for easier explanation. These areas are named for the function or character trait that is significant to each: Conference Center Area, Plaza Node, Passive Cultural Center and the Railroad Node. In addition to a proposal for each subarea, the study indicates a concept analysis explaining the development idea. / Department of Architecture

Buildings of the modern period have traditionally been absent from most architectural surveys. Part of the reason for this lies in the fact that very few guides have attempted to provide meaningful and accurate terms for post-World War II buildings, leaving surveyors without any meaningful way to categorize such structures. The purpose of this creative project, then, is to provide an accurate and meaningful means of applying style and building form categories to post-1941 architectural resources.The creative project first examines major trends in the movement to preserve and, more specifically, to document recent past resources throughout the United States. Primary and secondary sources, both popular and professional, are examined to determine the most common and appropriate labels being applied to modern architectural resources. From this, an illustrated style guide for identifying modern Indiana architecture is created.The creative project then provides a statewide survey of post-1941 architectural resources with both photographic and written documentation as an illustration of how to apply the determined styles and forms. / Project narrative -- Catalog of recent past architectural movements. / Department of Architecture

The railroad depot has played an integral role in countless towns and cities throughout the state of Indiana and in other regions of the nation. In many communities, the depot served as the local newsstand, post office, and social gathering place. A community’s railroad depot was a symbol of pride, which was evident by the significant level of architectural detail found in these transportation edifices. Over the course of the past fifty years, a vast majority of these architectural gems have fallen into disrepair, or worse, been demolished because it was believed that the depot could no longer fulfill a viable role in a post-railroad oriented society. There have been multiple efforts to rehabilitate the railroad depot by both the private and public sectors. Although many efforts have been made, there are still numerous historic depots throughout Indiana that are in need of assistance and in danger of being razed. Therefore, this thesis investigates the role of the depot in Indiana towns and cities today by looking at different rehabilitation projects that have successfully saved the railroad depot and transformed it once again into an active member of the local community. / History of the railroad industry in Indiana -- Development of the railroad depot in Indiana -- Literature review on railroad depot rehabilitation -- Methodology for case studies -- Depot rehabilitation case studies -- Conclusion. / Department of Architecture

Presently, there exists a large number of historic houses that have had their walls insulated with loose-fill cellulose and can now be studied 10, 20 or 30 years after they were insulated. The wood siding of these houses can be evaluated for types of paint failure and compared to comparable historic houses that have not had their sidewalls insulated. A methodology for defining common paint failure types, their presence and possibly their severity was designed. A methodology for the selecting of historic houses with both insulated and uninsulated walls was also designed. A visual documentation process was carried out, results compiled and analyzed in order to determine if a difference could be observed between the types of paint failures on the insulated versus the uninsulated historic houses. In addition this study looked at the most common sources for moisture intrusion into a wall cavity, how this moisture moves, and how little the role of vapor diffusion plays in the wetting of the wall cavity. / Moisture and paint failure -- Understanding moisture movement in buildings -- How frame walls get wet -- How insulation might affect how frame walls get wet and how they dry -- Strategies for controlling moisture -- Other causes of exterior paint failure unrelated to moisture within the wall -- Field work -- Types of paint failure -- Case study houses -- Summary and conclusion. / Department of Architecture

Plaster and compo are both materials used for cast architectural ornamentation. Preserving, repairing, and in-kind replacing cast architectural ornamentation is necessary to maintain the integrity of a space. Plaster and compo are visually and texturally very similar materials. Compo was invented to be a less costly substitute for plaster. Whereas the two materials are easily mistaken for one another, they are chemically quite different. The ingredients and methods used to create the two separate materials exemplify this difference. Understanding the differences is key to successfully preserving the ornaments and, thus, the spaces in which they are located. Repairing plaster with compo or compo with plaster can lead to the destruction of cast architectural ornaments. Furthermore, chemical paint removers that are safe to use on plaster can deteriorate compo. It is necessary to thoroughly understand the nature of the materials so that informed decisions can be made about their treatments. The study addresses the similarities and differences, the maintenance, deterioration, repair, and replacement of the two materials. / Department of Architecture

Since territorial days, agriculture has been an important and vital aspect of life in Indiana. Developments in the field gradually transformed agriculture from a way of life into an agribusiness, thus positioning agriculture in the mainstream U.S. economy. One of the phenomena that developed as a result of agriculture's evolution was the practice of constructing round and polygonal barns. Such structures were intended to increase the efficiency and thus economic return for the farmers.Between the years 1850 and 1936, some 222 round and polygonal barns were built in the state of Indiana, probably more than in any other state in the Union. Today, only 110 of the barns remain and three to four are destroyed annually. The reasons for the destruction of these agricultural icons are varied but often new machinery and farm practices have rendered the barns obsolete. Additionally, in these economic times, many owners cannot justify spending the money to restore what they consider to be interesting but impractical structures.A large number of owners, however, are interested in saving their round or polygonal barns but are uninformed as to where to turn for help. Therefore, it is necessary to give the barn owners guidance on the qualifications for the Investment Tax Credit Prcgram. These farmers want to know what actions the state and federal agency consider in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and what the process entails.In response to this issue, this creative project will deal with preservation planning for Indiana's round and polygonal barns. The method of investigation will consist of documenting the overall history of the barns, compiling a survey of the barns that remain and developing a usable preservation plan. This plan will deal with specifics as to suitable replacement materials for roofs and walls, adapting interior spaces to accommodate modern uses and an explanation of the application process for the Investment Tax Credit program. The research and suitability analysis will be developed in conjunction with authorities at the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, specifically Frank Hurdis and David Kroll.In summary, I feel strongly that my chosen field of preservation needs to address the problem of saving structures in a more proactive way. Preservationists have been accused, justifiably so, of merely asking for people to spend vast sums of money to save structures but not offering any viable action plan. I feel that this document is at least a step in the direction of giving these round and polygonal barn owners a practical and understandable guide for saving an important part of our heritage. / Department of Architecture

In the field of historic preservation, a feasibility study should be done in the affected locale to determine what the public's feelings are toward a project. The preservation project must have the public's support to be successful.The results of the study can be analyzed to identify sources of opposition and support. It will also uncover issues to be dealt with in public directed support campaigns for the preservation project.The success of historic preservation projects can be much enhanced by the use of the feasibility study and the proper application of information which it uncovers.