The Getty Conservation Institute Newsletter Volume 12, Number 1, Spring 1997 Feature continued A Living Place Planning for the conservation of historic towns and centers starts with an understanding of the cultural values of the place. The promenade, the waterfront, the fishing fleet, and the picturesque views of the surrounding hills are all physical elements that contribute to Portofino's cultural significance. To conserve a historic community poses challenges unequaled in cultural heritage conservation. The challenges go beyond the need to conserve buildings and objects.
Conservation is as much about people as it is about bricks and mortar.
When historic centers as we know them today were created, lifestyles and habits were vastly different. The ways that people work, shop, travel, and play have changed. The population of urban centers may also have changed in size and makeup. In the 20th century, the number of people living in cities has grown tenfold to almost 2.5 billion, an increase that has been accompanied by the introduction of modern transportation and services such as electricity and plumbing. Cities today must accommodate an increasing numbers of cars, a higher density of buildings, and ever more services.