独立话题

　　Should old buildings be replaced by new buildings?

　　I think the old buildings should be preserved. I have two reasons to support my opinion. Firstly, old buildings are precious property of human being. We will lose those valuable historical buildings permanently if we don't preserve them. Once a historical building is destroyed, we can never restore it. Secondly, old buildings are a symbol of a city and a valuable tourist resource. Think about the Forbidden City and The Summer Palace in Beijing. They are the relics of the city and carrying great historical and cultural information. Every year they attract visitors from all over the world, which generates profound tourist income.

　　More information

　　1. Old buildings attract people.

　　America’s downtown revivals suggest that people like old buildings. Whether the feeling is patriotic, homey, warm, or reassuring, older architecture tends to fit the bill. Regardless of how they actually spend their lives, Americans prefer to picture themselves living around old buildings. Some eyes glaze over when preservationists talk about “historic building stock,” but what they really mean is a community's inventory of old buildings ready to fulfill new uses.

　　2. Old buildings are reminders of a city’s culture and complexity.

　　By seeing historic buildings — whether related to something famous or recognizably dramatic—tourists and longtime residents are able to witness the aesthetic and cultural history of an area. Just as banks prefer to build stately, old-fashioned facades, even when located in commercial malls, a city needs old buildings to maintain a sense of permanency and heritage.