2023 Theses Master's

Sustaining the Intangible: Preserving New York City's Living Heritage

Nahitchevansky, Nina

This thesis explores the preservation ofliving and intangible heritage in cultural enclaves within New York City. The study examines the effectiveness of cultural district designation and similar legislation in pre­serving cultural heritage by analyzing three case studies: the established Japantown in San Francisco, the Lit­tle Italy Special Purpose District in New York City, and the recently designated Little Caribbean in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Through an analysis of these case studies, the benefits and disadvantages of cultural district designa­tion are identified, and adjacent tools used in New York City are highlighted. The research argues for the need to create policy tools at the local government level to preserve living cultural heritage in New York City to maintain the city's character and diversity. This study provides insights and recommendations for local govern­ment officials, urban planners, and cultural heritage practitioners interested in preserving the intangible cultural heritage of their communities in the face of urban development and gentrification.