historic preservation

Refers to actions taken to promote the protection and continued use of the built environment for cultural, aesthetic, or historic reasons. For actions taken specifically to return an object, site, or structure to a state of historical correctness, see "restoration (process)." For actions taken generally to prevent further changes or deterioration in objects, sites, or structures, see "preservation." For actions taken to return an already deteriorated structure to sound condition, see "rehabilitating."