Heritage at Risk Survey

Miami-Dade County Preservation: Heritage at Risk Survey 2023

Miami, Florida | 2023

The Heritage at Risk Survey embodies a new approach to historic preservation on a massive scale.

In addition to assessing architectural significance, the focus was on buildings and sites across Miami-Dade County important to previously excluded or underrepresented communities; on areas at risk of significant redevelopment; and areas particularly threatened by climate change.

The last such countywide survey was conducted in 1980, covering structures built before 1940. This project brief asked for comprehensive review of historic locations and buildings from 1941 to 1981: approximately 200,000 in total. Most of these structures and sites had not yet been documented.

This first phase of work, 2022-2024, was led by the prime consultant working closely with the County and the community. It yielded recommendations for 1,206 medium- and high-priority resources after careful comparative evaluation.

The development of the Heritage at Risk Survey also yielded investigation of important themes that helped direct evaluation work and establish agendas for further research and designation under the County’s Office of Historic Preservation, now available on the County website.

Prime Consultant: Shulman + Associates
Community Outreach Lead: Geo-Urban Consulting

Client: Miami-Dade County Office of Historic Preservation

Awards:

2024 DoCoMoMo US Modernism in America Awards: Inventory/ Survey Award of Excellence
2024 AIA Miami: Merit Award / Project Research
2024 APA Gold Coast Section, Florida Chapter: Award of Excellence
2024 APA Gold Coast Section, Florida Chapter: Best Plan/Report/Survey
2024 APA Florida: Award of Excellence / Best Practices