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The great American social philosopher, historian and urban planner, Lewis Mumford wrote The Culture of Cities in 1938. In this book he noted that:
The city is a fact in nature, like a cave, a run of mackerel, or an ant heap. But it is also a conscious work of art, and it holds within its communal framework many simpler and more personal forms of art. Mind takes form in the city; and in turn, urban forms condition mind. For space, no less than time, is artfully reorganized in cities: in boundary lines and silhouettes, in the fixing of horizontal planes and vertical peaks, in utilizing or denying the natural site, the city records the attitude of a culture and an epoch to the fundamental facts of its existence…With language itself, it remains man's greatest work of art.
The decline of New Jersey’s cities, while gradual throughout the mid-twentieth century, truly descended after the riots of the late 1960’s. For many years, the aging infrastructure and historic buildings were more or less left to slowly deteriorate. As governmental policies, programs and funding shifted toward revitalizing cities, there lacked a clear focused public policy on incorporating historically significant properties into redevelopment plans. Often, these older buildings were viewed as contributing to societal problems and their demolition was considered to be a viable solution. The empty lots found in once vibrant neighborhoods serve as reminders that nothing better came to replace the houses destroyed by the bulldozer.
New Jersey has never completed a statewide inventory of historic properties. Ideally, this resource would be in the hands of policy makers and incorporated into land use plans in each jurisdiction. Lacking an inventory, it is difficult for decision makers to know what should be preserved and what may be less significant. Many noteworthy historic buildings in New Jersey’s cities have been demolished. And these are places that could have been eligible for listing in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
Demographics in urban areas are another key factor. Many cities have large populations of the newest immigrants. Often, these residents are challenged to adjust to their new surroundings and face language and resource barriers. Their primary focus is on finding a better way of life in their new country. The historic buildings where they live are frequently rental properties and the residents do not have a direct connection to the care and maintenance of their homes.
New Jersey lays claim to having some of the poorest cities in the nation. In Camden, significant historic buildings like the Carnegie Library and the New Jersey Safe Deposit and Trust Company have sat vacant for many years. Now these landmark places are in desperate states. Their preservation is essential to help Camden retain its sense of place and connection to its historical role within New Jersey’s industrial legacy.
Newark has its share of important buildings that are abandoned. The Krueger Mansion, Haynes Department Store, Science High School and the National State Bank were once vital parts of the city. Now their future is uncertain. As each day passes, the elements take their toll on the buildings and people wonder what can be done. Groups like the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Conservancy recognize the importance of historic buildings and neighborhoods and are working to save them.
As Lewis Mumford wrote: “When the city ceases to be a symbol of art and order, it acts in a negative fashion: It expresses and helps to make more universal the fact of disintegration.”
Cities have a value that many appreciate and others often overlook. People living in the suburbs frequently feel a disconnect from these urban centers, but they are a vital part of American culture. They have a vibrancy that comes from new growth and the time-tested work of master architects. They help to define who we are as a people. Walt Whitman and Thomas Edison’s creativity thrived in these lively environments.
Can historic preservation help to save our cities? The answer is yes. And it is happening through Adaptive Reuse.
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