The University of New Mexico

Community-Based Learning

Class field trips, applied case studies, and community-based projects that directly engage the rich history and cultures of the American Southwest are integral to the HPR program.  Faculty and students study and document aspects of New Mexico communities, such as historic plazas and courthouse squares, and historic and revitalizing pedestrian neighborhoods.  Then we work directly with local communities on preservation and economic development plans that cultivate heritage for quality of life, local identity and tourism development.  Concepts and techniques learned in these programs are directly applicable in any neighborhood, city, region or nation.

          The student research in the required course in Historic Research Methods contributed to the book, The Plazas of New Mexico.  The seminar is currently focused on the study of historic pedestrian nodes for the first half of the 20th century, and their revival and adaptability as more sustainable, mixed use, transit oriented neighborhoods.

          The Program also encourages and subsidizes student attendance at professional conferences such as the annual meeting of the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

          These are some of our past research, field survey and community based projects:

Doña Ana Plaza Plan (link in development)

Ortiz Cultural Landscape Survey (link in development)

Santa Rosa Visioning Plan (link in development)

Portales Visioning Plan (link in development)

UNM Campus Heritage Survey (link in development) 

Past and Future Albuquerque (link in development)