The uneven geography of historic preservation: A neighborhood typology for equity planning in Chicago

Historic preservation and equity goals often conflict in urban neighborhoods, creating policy dilemmas where heritage conservation may either support or undermine community stability and affordable housing. This article addresses three questions: How do preservation-equity dynamics vary across different urban contexts? What neighborhood types emerge when areas are clustered by preservation and market conditions? What context-specific strategies might promote both heritage conservation and social equity? Using Chicago as a case study, we apply k-medoids clustering analysis to eight variables measuring potentially significant historic resources, preservation designations, affordability, income, racial composition, demolition rates, and displacement vulnerability across census tracts. The analysis reveals six distinct neighborhood types, each with different preservation challenges and opportunities. Key findings expose systematic inequities in heritage recognition: affluent neighborhoods demonstrate “curated heritage” where preservation operates selectively alongside luxury redevelopment, while neighborhoods with the oldest housing stock—predominantly Hispanic and Black communities—achieve minimal preservation recognition despite rich architectural resources. Preservation rates correlate strongly with income and racial composition rather than building age or architectural significance, indicating that current preservation frameworks systematically devalue certain communities’ cultural heritage. Effective preservation-equity policy requires context-specific strategies rather than universal approaches: recognition and community engagement in under-served neighborhoods with significant historic resources; targeted subsidies and anti-displacement measures in gentrifying areas; and inclusive density policies in already-preserved affluent neighborhoods.