Integrating Historic Preservation into Post-Disaster Recovery: The Role of the Main Street Program

Abstract:Historic preservation is an important part of community resilience to natural hazards. In the aftermath of disasters, however, preservationists sometimes struggle to find the resources or support necessary to repair or protect historic resources. Disaster-affected communities in the United States have used the Main Street Program to help guide their recovery efforts, with positive outcomes for historic preservation. In this paper we use an explanatory case study research design to analyze three communities that have used Main Street during post-disaster recovery: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Waterbury, Vermont; and Lyons, Colorado. We find that the Main Street Program has helped preservationists overcome common barriers to recovery by (1) bringing together diverse stakeholders with an interest in historic resources; (2) leveraging the strengths of pre-disaster networks and relationships; and (3) linking the restoration and protection of historic resources to economic recovery and revitalization. The use of the Main Street Program is an example of a successful collaborative governance approach to disaster recovery, which has important implications for heritage professionals and urban planners globally. While limited in their breadth and areas of focus, these cases show that the Main Street Program has been a unique tool for post-disaster community recovery.