A city is not merely an idea, a place, or a group of people; it is also the physical structures of urbanity, the results of massive co–operative efforts between investors, architects, government planners, engineers, businesses, and residents. The buildings, roads, infrastructure and monuments all combine to create an insane and glorious artwork, like a canvas painted by millions of artists.
Historically important sites, buildings by great architects, and well–known landmarks are a few of the most important elements that make up the urban environment. In the past decades, a rising consciousness of the importance of local history has helped give New Yorkers a new appreciation for the many magnificent structures that are preserved in their city.
Historical preservation in New York has always been a difficult issue; the city has shown such vitality over the past centuries that it has constantly rebuilt itself, destroying its past in the process—the finished artwork of one generation has become the blank canvas for another generation of artists. (Far different from the “great cities” of Europe, which have grown so little in past centuries that entire historical districts have escaped recent change.)
Thus it is rare to find a building over a century old, and historically significant buildings have survived usually only if they are also profitable. The tragedy of this mindset was made apparent when the old, beautiful, but unprofitable Pennsylvania Station was destroyed in 1965 (see listing below). Today, New Yorkers are more aware of the history of their city, and the constant need for growth is (usually) tempered with an understanding of historical preservation.
