Historic preservation important in the classroom and community

In addition to academic research, Drs. Azza Kamal and Cleary Larkin are actively engaged in the Gainesville community. Both are faculty with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and with specialties and overlap with UF’s Historic Preservation program. 

Dr. Azza Kamal, who joined the Urban and Regional Planning Department faculty in July of 2021, was appointed to Gainesville’s Historic Preservation Board by the City Commission and began serving the community on January 5, 2022.  Selected from a pool of 18 applicants, there is no doubt that Dr. Kamal’s education and academic experience in architecture and planning stood out to commissioners. The Historic Preservation Board’s mission is to advise the City Commission on the stewardship of Gainesville’s historic resources.  

“Along with my fellow board members, we review proposals for alterations, new construction, infill, expansion, restoration, or other exterior changes to properties that are individually designated landmarks or within the City’s local historic districts. This process ensures that the rapid growth on the east-side of UF Campus, particularly in these historic districts conforms with the documented architectural styles, identity, and cultural sustainability of existing contributing structures.” 

Dr. Cleary Larkin, Acting Director of the Historic Preservation Program, recently applied for funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Fund.  The grant will provide the ability for a team of UF faculty and students from the College of Design, Construction & Planning, and the College of the Arts, to develop interpretive, educational, and marketing packages for Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida. This funding will leverage pledged community support and an existing grant from the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources to ensure the future rehabilitation of this historic African American church for use as a social justice and cultural arts center. 

Dr. Larkin noted, “The Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church was the center of Gainesville’s Civil Rights movement, and through preservation and adaptive re-use, will continue its significance as a center for social justice and heritage. The Historic Preservation program is honored to be an ally with the African American community for this important project.” 

These are just some of the ways that URP faculty members work to advance the efforts of the Historic Preservation program both in the community and academically.  For more information on ways to get involved as students, take preservation courses, or to apply for the interdisciplinary certificate, visit the Historic Preservation program’s website.