Historic District

A Historic District, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation are "areas in which historic buildings and their settings are protected by public review, and encompass buildings deemed significant to the city's cultural fabric." A historic district should possess the seven criteria of integrity: Setting, Location, Materials, Workmanship, Design, Feeling, and Association.

Historic Districts, generally, work in conjunction with Preservation Ordinances, Preservation Commissions, and Design Review Boards. All three of these are created for the purpose of ensuring that the district retains its character, while allowing for change and growth. The district is designated so that a clear boundary is established which coincides with the rules and regulations created for the district.

Benefits of Historic Districs
Benefits of historic districts generally fall into two categories: Economic and Quality of Life

Economic benefits include
 * Protection of home owner investment because home owners know that all of the buildings in the district, including new construction will be held to the same level. This also helps to sell properties within the historic district.
 * By protecting the distinct character of district, a historic district increases economic growth through tourism because people are more likely to visit places with a strong sense of place
 * Businesses are often interested in relocating to cities with vibrant historic districts because they are attracted to the high quality of life for their employees and themselves, which increases a city's business recruitment potential

Quality of Life Benefits include
 * Better design that are better related to the surrounding buildings, better and more innovative use of materials, and possess more public appeal
 * A better connection with our past and educational potential through the built environment
 * More community investment as a result of community involvement in the review process of the historic district

Possible Arguments Against Historic Districts

 * intrusion on private property rights by restricting design by review
 * possibility of displacing people and causing gentrification

Legal Basis for Design Review Boards and Aesthetic Considerations in Planning
See Berman v. Parker