TOWARD JUSTICE FOR ALL: AN ANALYSIS OF STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANS

Abstract

This research investigates how contemporary historic preservation practice reflects the evolving concepts of justice. While there are assumptions about how notions of justice, which are inherently abstract and multifaceted, are or are not represented in historic preservation, little data exists to support how they are conceptualized and implemented. This study explores whether and how the influence of justice theories are explicit in preservation practice by analyzing a key planning tool: state historic preservation plans. For this research, I used justice theory from planning and preservation perspectives to develop a framework that informs a national analysis of all current state preservation plans in the United States as of July 2023. This is combined with an in-depth case study of the Maryland plan, which was selected for its reputation for planning innovation. Through thematic analysis, archival research, interviews, and participant observation, the study identifies core themes that signal how justice is understood and operationalized in state preservation plans. Findings from the national analysis demonstrate considerable variation in justice notions expressed within plans, influenced by external factors such as timing, political context, and authorship. Plans emphasize a resource-focused interpretation of justice, driven by programmatic, regulatory, and funding structures. I identify public participation—influenced by planning guidance—as a primary means through which the plans align with justice theories. The Maryland case study demonstrates a broader and more integrated application of justice notions, highlighting themes such as transparency, education, and the inclusion of intersecting priorities like housing, climate, and economic development. The research concludes that, while theories of justice are present in preservation planning, their influence is uneven and often constrained by conventional disciplinary norms. However, state preservation plans have the potential to serve as models for advancing a more people-centered, interdisciplinary approach to justice in preservation, redefining the role of the preservation planner, and broadening the field’s impact.