ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with fill that void through a qualitative analysis of community and economic development (CED) practitioners' perceptions about urban heritage, historic preservation, and the future of the urban built environment. The research intentionally focuses on perceptions and discourses about preservation occurring external to the preservation field with an explicit goal of providing reflexive critique and insight into the preservation profession and opening the doors to a broader dialogue between these allied areas of practice that often operate in silos. A network of CED entities works to stabilize and improve Cleveland's neighborhoods and the lives of its residents. Historic preservation in Cleveland is largely affiliated with two entities: the public-sector Cleveland landmarks commission and the non-profit Cleveland restoration society. In general, CED practitioners in Cleveland do not self-identify as preservationists, yet they recognize that their work takes place in older and historic communities throughout the city. In practice, buildings are often isolated from their context in decision-making.
