Listed building

Forthbridge feb 2013

St Paul destroyed

2004-10-09 Midland Bank

HolyTrinity back 8812

ST PETERS STRETTON 8218

Palacio de Buckingham, Londres, Inglaterra, 2014-08-11, DD 190

Listed buildings are structures that have been recognized as being of special architectural, historical, or cultural significance. These buildings are listed on a national register to ensure their preservation for future generations. The criteria for listing a building vary from country to country, but generally, a building must be a good example of a certain period, style, or building type, or be associated with notable historical events or figures.

Criteria for Listing

The criteria for listing buildings can include architectural interest (design, decoration, craftsmanship), historic interest (importance in the nation's social, economic, cultural, or military history), close historical associations with nationally important people or events, and group value (part of a larger ensemble of historic buildings). In some jurisdictions, the age of a building is also a factor, with buildings typically needing to be over a certain age, often 30 years or more, to be considered for listing.

Categories of Listed Buildings

Listed buildings are often classified into categories or grades, which reflect their relative importance. For example, in the United Kingdom, buildings are graded as follows:

• Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest.
• Grade II*: Particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
• Grade II: Buildings of national importance and special interest.

Other countries have similar systems of grading, although the terminology and criteria may differ.

Effects of Listing

Once a building is listed, it is protected by law, and any alterations, extensions, or demolitions require permission from the local planning authority. The aim is to preserve the building's architectural and historic character. Owners of listed buildings may be eligible for grants or loans to assist with the cost of maintenance and repair.

Challenges and Controversies

Listing can sometimes be controversial, especially when it restricts the rights of property owners or leads to increased maintenance costs. There is also debate about what should be preserved, with some arguing that too many modern or unexceptional buildings are listed, while others believe that more should be done to protect the built heritage.

Listed Buildings Around the World

Many countries have systems for listing and protecting historic buildings. For example:

• In the United States, buildings can be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• In Australia, places of significant heritage value can be included on the Australian National Heritage List.
• In India, the Archaeological Survey of India designates buildings as monuments of national importance.

See Also

• Historic preservation
• Conservation area
• National Register of Historic Places
• World Heritage Site