Register | Senior Sequence

Victor Cuate

Academic Year: 2009-2010

Historic Centers and Economic Development

Area of Concentration

  • Community and Economic Development

Key Terms:

cultural heritage, historic preservation, economic development, architectural styles, place-making

Significance/Broader Impact:

The selection for this topic came from an interest while interning at North Park Main Street.  The mix-use of commercial and residential zones, a main transit corridor, walkable and pedestrian friendly streets, and growing economy defined all of the conditions for a sustainable community.  A question of interest was to define how North Park evolved into such a community.  The economic growth of the community was inevitable to ignore while identifying the factors of North Park’s present state.  Yet, why would economic development occur in an old neighborhood of San Diego?  Older areas tend to be ignored or completely redeveloped, but North Park maintains its historic buildings and overall cultural heritage.  The efforts of North Park Main Street to reach this medium of preserving the community history while it was undergoing revitalization is extremely interesting and significant to me.

Fall SRP Proposal Abstract

Over the past several years the non-profit organization, North Park Main Street, has been challenged to revitalize North Park through arts, culture and entertainment while upholding the historic community character.  The City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency has been challenged to assist in the efforts of economic revitalization for the neighborhood.  This study will examine the role of historic preservation and economic development through an analysis of the redevelopment agency in North Park.  Projects for North Park redevelopment support building preservation but economical development requires a social factor.  Thus, research variables will be identified to determine social behavior between historic buildings.  Surveys and data on architecture, socio-spatial analysis, place-making, economic growth and building redevelopment will be analyzed to determine the affects and complexities between historic preservation and economic development.  Conclusions that may supplement scholarly research include the potential of integrating cultural heritage, redevelopment, and social-spatial elements for successful economic development.

Winter Senior Research Project (SRP) Abstract

The establishment of a social network between a city redevelopment agency, a community organization and community stakeholders allows for a dynamic relationship in efforts to economically revitalize a historic community.  Successful practices of historic preservation occur when cultural heritage becomes highly respected between the redevelopment agency and the community organization with ties to the local economy and business leaders.  After all historical buildings contribute to variations of architectural styles in a given space, they affect the social fabric, and they aesthetically enhance public spaces.  In some instances the economic revitalization of a historic community has negative internal impacts.  Economical development processes need to be maintained and carefully monitored to minimize negative economic influences on a community.  This study examines how economic revitalization may be balanced with efforts to historically preserve buildings.  The process of economically revitalizing a historic community is best managed when social and institutional networks collaborate and actively support similar community oriented goals.

Study's Major Findings and Contributions

The research study conducted by Victor Cuate sought to identify the relationship between historic preservation and economic revitalization and the relationship that maintained such association.  The community of North Park has been preserving old infrastructure and at the same time revitalizing their business district.  It is conceivable that new developments attract businesses, but in the North Park businesses are settling in historic buildings.  While the study identifies why this is occurring it is important to understand what forces bind historic preservation and economic development.  The research focused on two main actors:  North Park Main Street, a non-profit organization, which manages the business improvement district and the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency in charge of assisting the economic revitalization efforts.  Evidence indicates that the redevelopment agency is the entity binding historic preservation and economic revitalization, while the redevelopment agency board is the entity that maintains the relationship.

An analysis of the evidence further expanded the research findings and introduced theories of a socio-spatial component.  Evidence validated that land parcels containing historic buildings are the lowest in value, while the most valued parcels contain buildings that do not contribute to the historic fabric of the community.  This expanded the question as to why preserve buildings in North Park if they do not have monetary value.  Evidence indicates that the buildings in North Park contribute to the social well being of the business district and the community.  A combined theory of place-making and practices of historic preservation have made North Park an arts, cultural and entertainment destination vital to economic development goals.

Evidence

Documentation from North Park Main Street shall be used to provide community background and current economic growth.  Documentation of the Redevelopment Agency shall be analyzed to identify North Park project objectives.  A business inventory database will provide information of building elements and the connection to the community such as historical significance, architectural types, and age.  Records for the business inventory database include building parcel numbers, which are attained from the County Administration Office.  Architectural and historical data is attained from City of San Diego Historic Resources Survey.  Among other evidence are oral historic tape recordings of North Park residents by the North Park Historical Society.

Spatial Dimension

The geographical focus of the research project encompasses the North Park neighborhood, which lies northeast of downtown San Diego.  The target area for the community is the business improvement district (BID), which primarily consists of University Avenue and 30th Street.
The key spatial factors for the research project include: historically significant buildings, business locations, zoning locations.

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