[9]
Old Buildings
…
Should old buildings be preserved? …
1. Once a historic building is gone, it is gone
forever, but who knows what will be valued
in the future?
2. Preservation shows respect for those that
came before us and those who will come
after.
3. Restoration is often cheaper than building
new structures.
4. They are an integral part of our heritage and
history. Without them, we lose contact with
our origins.
5. Preserving them is good for the
environment:
Preserving a building is the ultimate in
recycling and keeps construction
materials out of the landfill.
Many traditional building practices in
historic buildings are “green”. (e.g.
thick walls maintain interior
temperatures and save energy).
Constructing a building requires huge
amounts of energy and could raise
pollution levels.
6. Tourism could be a lucrative source of
revenue for every community, and many old
buildings are real tourist magnets.
7. The architectural style of many of these
buildings is unique, and once they are
gone, these styles could not be learnt by
our architects.
8. Some of them are aesthetically pleasing,
adding to the beauty of our cities.
YES
1. Most of them are unsafe and will
eventually collapse, injuring and taking the
life of many citizens.
2. They are ugly and spoil our cityscape.
3. In the modern world, land is valuable. If they
are demolished,
high-rise residential buildings could be
built to accommodate many people
and as a result solve housing problem.
This would also prevent urban sprawl.
huge shopping malls, office blocks,
etc. could be constructed, which would
create employment for many.
modern amenities could be provided
for citizens to make their life more
comfortable and enjoyable.
4. Many of them are empty and threaten the
safety of our society:
They are the best place for addicts to
do drug.
Many other illegal activities could
happen in such buildings.
They can be a great hideout for
criminals and fugitives.
5. The cost of maintenance and renovation
could be huge.
6. They could be home to many disease-
spreading creatures.
