The Past and Future City with Stephanie Meeks, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places in use and relevant. And lately, an urban resurgence has swept the nation, finding people all stripes migrating back into city life. These want to live somewhere that looks and feels distinctive — Miami’s Art Deco district, New Orleans’ French Quarter and Baltimore’s districts of rowhouses all draw residents with their historic architecture.

But while this trend is a cause for celebration, it has also raised issues of access, affordability, inequality, and sustainability. In The Past and Future City, Stephanie Meeks, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, describes in detail and with research, the ways that historic fabric can create thriving neighborhoods and a vibrant economy. She explains the critical importance of inclusive preservation and the ways the field has evolved to the 21st century. Join Stephanie to discuss how these tactics relate to the Village, and how figures like Jane Jacobs have shaped the movement. After the presentation, have Meeks sign your copy of the book.

Stephanie Meeks has been the president and chief executive officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation since July 2010. Under her leadership, the National Trust has developed an ambitious strategic plan designed to refocus direct action on saving imperiled places, engage new audiences in preservation, and increase the organization’s impact by a factor of ten.