“The Cultural Landscape Is Fashioned from a Natural Landscape by a Cultural Group
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“The cultural landscape is fashioned from a natural landscape by a cultural group. Culture is the agent, the natural area is the medium, the cultural landscape is the result.” ~ Carl O. Sauer PLAN ELEMENT Chapter 11 HERITAGE CONSERVATION Image Credit: City of Albuquerque 11-1 PLAN ELEMENT HERITAGE CONSERVATION 11.1 Background & Analysis 11.1.1 Introduction and many others, contributing to our rich is related to all other Comp Plan elements history and cultural traditions. Culture is to the extent that they contribute to Albuquerque and Bernalillo County comprise broadly defined to include the values, ongoing sustainability, identity, and vibrancy a tapestry of cultures and histories, cultivated traditions, and arts of a particular community of neighborhoods and special places by our Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo in a particular place or time. throughout the Albuquerque area and to American residents over time. Our region is maintaining a full range of lifestyle choices Throughout the city and county, people more diverse than ever, with robust African as viable options. Land use and enjoy a range of lifestyles from urban to American communities, Asian communities transportation patterns, discussed in agrarian. In order for these choices to remain separate chapters of this Plan, may be viable and sustainable, we must value the Image credit: City of Albuquerque Image credit: the predominant factors of the built ways of life that reflect our heritage and environment; however, cultural and historic balance the sometimes competing needs assets lie at the heart of our community. and resulting pressures. If we work to preserve and protect our unique cultural This chapter addresses our rural and resources, we have an opportunity to agricultural heritage, historic resources, leverage the area’s distinctive culture and archaeological and paleontological history to strengthen our economy and resources, and public art and cultural compete successfully as a region for the events and programming. Together, these growth and development we want. elements contribute to the sense of place in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, and Heritage conservation refers to a set of goals and policies guide how these elements actions that keep the cultural resources we should be enhanced and preserved. have inherited from our predecessors safe from harm, decay, or loss and to preserve those resources from damaging change. It 11-2 Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan - As Adopted by City Council - MARCH 2017 PLAN ELEMENT HERITAGE CONSERVATION Applying STRONG ECONOMIC the Guiding NEIGHBORHOODS VITALITY SUSTAINABILITY • Preserving agricultural, • Development that protects • Protecting historic, Principles historical, archaeological, and leverages cultural archaeological and and cultural assets reinforces heritage reinforces paleontological, and cultural our shared heritage and community values. resources helps sustain our multi-layered identities that • Arts and culture contribute built, natural, and cultural contribute to our rich sense to the local economy and environments. of place. promote tourism. • Renovating historic structures • Cultural events and public art • Placemaking that leverages is more socially and Each element of the celebrate our special places unique historic assets environmentally sustainable and diverse cultures. Comp Plan uses guiding and places creates value than replacing them with new for property owners and development. principles for the basis increases revenues for for its goals, policies, and businesses and governments. MOBILITY actions. The six guiding COMMUNITY principle themes and their • Network planning HEALTH strengthens connections to • Rich cultural places definitions were developed historic districts and cultural EQUITY contribute to quality of life centers. from input received during • Cultural programming and and the mental and physical the public involvement • Customized street standards historic preservation in health of the community. process, detailed in the honor historic patterns and older, historic, and diverse provide better options for neighborhoods raise Vision chapter. pedestrians and cyclists. awareness of how these key communities contribute to The following guiding our cultural and social vitality. principles relate to heritage conservation goals, policies, and actions. 11-3 PLAN ELEMENT HERITAGE CONSERVATION 11.1.2 Context & In the future… Analysis Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Our key cultural landscapes and 11.1.2.1 RURAL & maintain a unique sense of place. resources, including the volcanoes The metropolitan area will provide and Northwest Mesa Escarpment, AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE opportunities for those seeking a range the Bosque, and the Sandias, will Traditional, rural, and agricultural lifestyles be protected from the negative of lifestyles and traditions, from rural and are important features of Albuquerque agrarian areas to vibrant, urban districts. impacts of nearby development and preserved in perpetuity for future and Bernalillo County that comprise part Important remnants of our history are generations as priceless community of our unique identity and livelihood and preserved and redeveloped respectfully assets and key contributors to our require ongoing support and preservation to enable future generations to sense of place and identity as a efforts. These lifestyle choices, which appreciate the cultural resources that we community of diverse cultures and represent vital aspects of our collective ourselves have inherited. Both the public rich heritage. and private sectors value investment heritage, face major challenges in light of in historic preservation to deepen and Local residents and tourists urban expansion in our region. enrich our sense of place. alike enjoy the diverse cultural opportunities that Albuquerque and Over the past hundred years, not unlike Downtown and surrounding Bernalillo County have to offer. most other metropolitan areas in the country, neighborhoods will be vibrant, Albuquerque’s urban footprint has expanded The City’s Route 66 heritage is alive sustainable, pedestrian environments dramatically outward to accommodate that showcase historic buildings and well with historic architecture its growing population (see Figure 4-2 in through adaptive use and homeowner associated with the Mother Road investment. and a plethora of locally owned the Community Identity chapter). This businesses offering food, lodging, growth translates into increasing pressures Image credit: City of Albuquerque Image credit: and shopping. on rural and agricultural areas to convert to additional housing and other uses that serve Public art and cultural programs will continue to provide opportunities residents. However, for those neighborhoods to enrich and celebrate local history that desire to remain suburban or even and culture, including our traditions, revert to rural levels of density and intensity, food, and festivities. there is sometimes resistance to additional development or redevelopment. 11-4 PLAN ELEMENT HERITAGE CONSERVATION In order for rural and agrarian areas to remain viable and sustainable, efforts to increase density and intensity need to be concentrated in existing urban areas, drawing the gravity of development away from the outlying areas. Additionally, To achieve our vision the City STRATEGIES future growth should be respectful of and and County need to address • Preserving and enhancing farmland compatible with the surrounding context, key challenges and strategies. and the acequia system and culture. whether urban or rural, to ensure the full • Building partnerships with county, range of lifestyle options. CHALLENGES state and federal agencies and local • Maintaining the economic and cultural organizations to identify and manage Indigenous Peoples viability of rural lifestyles. historic and archaeological assets. The Rio Grande valley has been continuously • Providing needed management for the • Increasing public awareness by inhabited for thousands of years and is home diversity and richness of our cultural, providing opportunities to learn to several Native American communities. historic, architectural, archaeological, about the benefits and constraints of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is situated and paleontological assets. preservation through education and marketing. between Sandia Pueblo to the north, Isleta • Coordination needed among many Pueblo to the south, and Laguna Pueblo and agencies/departments. • Expanding our information about area To’hajiilee Navajo community to the west. history and identifying significant • Conflict between preserving and historic and archaeological resources Native American heritage has fundamentally providing access to our natural and shaped the area’s cultural landscape cultural resource assets. • Providing staffing and funding to and continues to make our community support preservation and management • Limited awareness of the economic a unique place to live and visit. Pueblo of our assets. benefits of heritage conservation and and Native American cultures deserve the constraints of historic preservation. • Encouraging and promoting public art, to be preserved and perpetuated while planning for the arts, art and cultural advancing understanding by presenting activities, and community celebrations. the accomplishments and evolving history of native people with dignity and respect. These cultures are sacred, and history, beliefs, traditions, and legacies are to be respected and celebrated. 11-5 PLAN ELEMENT