Team mapping historical buildings in Halifax says city losing its ‘architectural inheritance’

Halifax, a city rich in history and heritage, is facing a crisis of disappearing historical buildings. A recent project called Halifax Memory Maps has shed light on the alarming rate at which these architectural treasures are being lost to fires, demolition, and redevelopment.

Led by a team of landscape archaeologists and digital cartographers, the Halifax Memory Maps project has revealed that out of approximately 9,000 buildings that stood on the peninsula before 1878, only 1,143 remain standing today. Professor Jonathan Fowler of Saint Mary’s University, who spearheaded the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the city’s character and heritage by showcasing what remains of its past.

Using detailed maps from 1878 by American civil engineer Henry W. Hopkins, the team identified the buildings that existed over a century ago and created a map highlighting the surviving structures. The project has uncovered the stark reality of Halifax’s architectural losses over the years.

Despite efforts to protect heritage buildings, Halifax has seen a significant number of its oldest structures demolished in recent years. According to the project’s findings, 30% of unregistered heritage buildings in the downtown core were torn down between 2009 and 2019. Fowler acknowledged that economic development often leads to the destruction of historic buildings, but he also noted that fires and the Halifax Explosion of 1917 played a role in the city’s architectural losses.

Of the remaining 1,143 buildings, only 381 are municipally registered heritage properties, leaving the majority vulnerable to further destruction. The project’s website expresses concern over the loss of Halifax’s architectural heritage and calls for greater protection of these valuable assets.

Fowler believes that the Halifax Memory Maps project is a groundbreaking initiative that allows people to see the city’s transformation over time. He hopes that the digitized map will inspire city planners and the public to consider the importance of preserving the past while embracing progress.

While change is inevitable, Fowler urges thoughtful consideration of the city’s historical buildings before they are lost forever. Halifax’s rich architectural legacy is a vital part of its identity, connecting the past to the present. By valuing and protecting these heritage structures, the city can continue to thrive as a living testament to its history.