The first Duda Forum on Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development brought together professionals, academics, developers, neighborhood advocates, and government authorities to explore the role of historic preservation as an effective partner of new development in Dallas, Texas, October 12-13.
Keynote addresses by Vincent Michael, executive director of the Conservation Society of San Antonio, and Shanon Miller, preservation director for the City of San Antonio, illustrated the experience of their city as a preservation leader in Texas. Their presentations set the stage for a series of panel discussions examining adaptations for new uses of existing buildings of varying sizes and ages—primarily in Dallas—from modest, century-old neighborhood buildings to postwar, glass-walled office towers. Other presenters discussed conservation of neighborhoods and ways of promoting housing for diverse populations. One of the participants estimated that at least a billion dollars in development investment was represented in the room during the panel discussions.
The conference was the first in a planned series sponsored by the Michael Christopher Duda Center for Preservation, Resilience, and Sustainability at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture; the Texas Historical Foundation; and the Folsom Real Estate Institute at Southern Methodist University, in memory of the late Michael Christopher Duda, a preservationist and Dallas native who was closely associated with all three institutions.
Conference participants noted that they gained greater appreciation for the successes of historic preservation initiatives in the Dallas area and the potential benefits of collaboration between preservation and development to build a stronger city, as well as to advance issues of sustainability and resistance to climate change. Planning has already begun for the second annual Duda Forum next year. More information will be available in coming months.