An Analysis of Preservation Trades across New York State
How can we strengthen and build the heritage trades?
Led by researchers from Cornell University’s Department of City and Regional Planning, with a supporting gift from the Preservation League of New York State, this research project will provide a comprehensive assessment of New York’s preservation trades labor market, economic impact, and existing workforce development programs. This research aims to quantify the preservation-related labor market, document characteristics of the existing workforce and training infrastructure, and support strategic insights into future workforce development opportunities.
This New York-focused study builds upon the 2023 regional report, Understanding and Advancing the Preservation Trades, developed by the Preservation League and its partners in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. While that report established useful context across the Northeastern region, New York's scale, complexity, and economic diversity demand a more detailed, state-specific analysis.
Dr. Jenni Minner, Adam Crist (MA HPP '26), Srushti Rahigude (MRP '27), who are researchers in the Just Places Lab, are collaborating with Dr. John Carruthers and Shreya Rangaraj (MRP '26) to explore both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of preservation trades in New York—offering a set of findings and visual communication tools to better inform policy, planning, funding, and partnership developmement.