issue26 Most people would agree that buildings represent a

turtle24UID: 122933

26. Most people would agree that buildings represent a valuable record of any society’s past, but controversy arises when old buildings stand on ground that modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes. In such situations, modern development should be given precedence over the preservation of historic buildings so that contemporary needs can be served.

Architecture is about evolution, not revolution. By preserving historical buildings, descendents could better understand the history of their nations than merely learn from reading. In view of urbanization, modern planners suggest that historical buildings should give way to modern buildings with a view to better serving today’s people needs. As far as I am concerned, this is not a black and white question. Rather, I believe that historical buildings should be preserved on the basis of their historical values in relation to the contemporary society.

Architecture, just like language, religion, political organizations and arts, reflects the value of a society and people’s life. Today, skyscrapers not merely serve as the function of accommodating more people and offices, but also imply the sheer ostentation of human’s advanced technology. Dated to the Middle Age, the grandeur buildings such as White Tower provide a colonial stronghold and a powerful symbol of Norman domination; Gothic architecture in the later time was developed from a Christian perspective. Clerics demanded taller churches with more windows. This desire was derived from new intellectual and spiritual concepts that took a more rational view of God and saw God encompassed many things, such as light, reason and proportion. The Gothic churches created a setting that was drawn toward light and purity that could be an image of heaven. In the meanwhile, the middle class also had a great influence on the Gothic style as they desired churches that could reflect their economic power and social status. Gothic architecture may be an extreme example. However, it represents the values of the past society.

Admittedly, for some societies that may not have enough space to further construct new buildings, the demolition of old buildings seem to be the only solution. In my opinion, buildings in shabby conditions whose historical values are nothing more than ordinary buildings ought to be pulled down. Some buildings which are of great help to the study of a particular period, nevertheless, should be preserved. Actually, old buildings could be refurbished or repackaged, coined a marketing term, to serve as a modern purpose – tourist attraction.

An example of such is “New Heaven and Earth” in Shanghai, a commercial and recreational complex. The complex was built in restored “Shikumen” houses – a special old form of building architecture only found in Shanghai, now attracting both tenants and vistors. Shikumen houses are a relic of Shanghai’s fascinating history, but over the years had sadly deteriorated because of the lack of maintenance. Now, the beautifully restored old buildings are also equipped with the latest modern facilities, such as modern mechanical and engineering systems and escalators.

To sum up, it is not appropriate to blindly move all the historical buildings, otherwise it means people are distaining their past and as such despise humanity itself. As seen from the above, historical buildings could serve contemporary purpose as well after refurbishment. When considering if an old buildings is to be demolished, people should evaluate their historical values.

beckyyeeUID: 8330

很不错的一篇ISSUE啊~~

结构很清晰，而且论证也很充足有力。例子举的好！新颖，有说服力！

语言的运用也不错！

我至少给5分吧！

推荐到首页罗~