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implementing city award pro- gram for owners who have done significant work on their property. In Iowa Ciry, Iowa, where a strong preservation movement developed following a destructive wave of urban renewal in the 1970s, the local historic preserva- tion commission instituted an active public education program to keep citizens apprised of preservation issues on a regular basis. This includes sending wel- come and notification letters to new residents of historic districts and annual updates to other dis- trict residents. Among its numerous projects to maintain community awareness, the com- mission publishes a historical guide map to the city; sponsors Historic Preservation Week, which has featured a preservation ,wards ceremony held annually .ice 1984; cultivates partner- ships with neighborhood associa- tions; and hosts a website for instant access to local preserva- tion programs and information. Through these efforts, the com- mission has fostered significant support for its objectives and its activities, and Iowa City now has six historic districts, 37 local his- toric landmarks, and the state's first urban conservation district. Understanding Historic Districts Much confusion, misinformation, and suspicion surround the issue of creating local historic districts and designating local landmarks. Even the terminology is mislead- ing and ambiguous at times. The apprehension of typical property owners is understandable. Their questions and concerns stem from wing only a vague awareness of community enhancement pro- grams and historic preservation. Most Americans do not under- stand the specifics of municipally- based design review and historic resource protection strategies and may have difficulty distinguishing local preservation endeavors from state or national programs. The average citizen might wonder why a particular area should become a local historic district in addition to being listed in the National Register of Historic Places or in a state regis- ter of historic places. A historic district can be a local district, a National Register district, astate- designated district, or all three. Each type of designation is a use- ful preservation tool and, while they are different, they share some common characteristics. Since every state does nut have a state register and since there is great variety among those that do, this booklet will address the differences between local and National Register districts only. A National Register district is any area of a community that has been determined to be of historic significance based on criteria established by the U.S. Depart- ment of the Interior (see Appendix A). The National Register is a federal designation signifying that a building or site has historic or archeological sig- nificance to the nation. Such designation dues not trigger any restrictions on private property owners. It may, however, call upon federal agencies to consider the impact of their activities on historic sites before proceeding with federally funded or licensed projects. Preservation incentives, such as historic rehabilitation tax credits, are also available to qual- ifying buildings in National Register districts. The major func- tion of a National Register district, however, is simply to recognize the historic significance of the resources within it and to use this information as a planning tool. A local district is similar to a National Register district in many ways. The tw-o can be used independently or cooperatively to protect a community's resources. Like the National Register dis- trict, the local district identifies historically and architecturally significant buildings, but this recognition can be based on locally developed, rather than national, criteria and policies. Local significance, attitudes, and contemporary events will affect what a community views as impor- tant. Because properties less than 50 years old are generally not eli- gible for National Register list- ing, the National Register may not serve as a good measure for identifying and evaluating more recent character-defining devel- opment in a community. It is, therefore, possible to include in a local district resources such as cemeteries, religious institutions, moved buildings, and properties less than 50 years old, which ordinarily are not considered National Register-eligible. The primary strength of local designation is that it is tailored to specific community needs and provides greater protection for local resources. The preservation commission or other local govern- ment body, through the design review process, has the means to assure that proposed major changes are sympathetic to the character of the district. Because National Register listing does not provide for a design review process, properties listed only in the National Register can be readily and easily altered or demolished by anyone not using federal funds. National Register and local designations can work together. For example, an existing National PR•ESERVATLON•B~~OKS ..................................................................................0