Have strong opinions about historic districts in Brooklyn and the city at large? A new survey wants to know your thoughts on historic districts, the role they play in the city and what factors should be used in determining their value.

Principal Investigator Professor Erica Avrami and Adjunct Associate Research Scholars Cherie-Nicole Leo and Alberto Sanchez-Sanchez — all from Columbia University’s Graduate School for Architecture, Planning and Preservation — developed the online survey to explore the relationship between historic districts, tourism, economic development and gentrification.

When asked about the motivation behind conducting the study now, Professor Avrami cited the anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law in 2015 and the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of historic districts.

“In some respects, preservation critics are setting a new agenda about what historic districting is meant to achieve, and that agenda is not necessarily in sync with the criteria driving decisions to designate,” she told Brownstoner. “This disconnect presents an important opportunity for understanding differences and finding shared ground for the future.”

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With 33 of the 139 New York City historic districts located in Brooklyn, Professor Avrami is particularly eager to hear from Brooklynites. “Brooklyners were pioneers in the creation of historic districts, and Brooklyn’s historic districts have significantly influenced the development and appeal of the borough in recent decades. The Brooklyn community is therefore a critical voice in this dialogue about historic districts and how their success is defined,” she said.

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Participation in the survey is open to all, regardless of whether you reside in a historic district. It is anonymous and available online until September 30, 2016.

[h/t: Eagle]

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