Many old buildings are protected by law and are part of a nation's history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones. How important is it to maintain old buildings? Should history stand in the way of progress?

Many old buildings are protected by law and are part of a nation's history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones. How important is it to maintain old buildings? Should history stand in the way of progress?

In contemporary times, many believe that it is essential to preserve historical edifices as they are a part of national pride, whereas some believe they should be demolished. This essay shall delve deeper into both the perspective and conclude with my opinion. 

Advocates for preserving such structures argue that it is important to maintain them, as these ancient constructions represent rich ancestral legacy and help preserve long standing history, culture and traditions.  These help one identify the core roots, lifestyle and values that have been embedded in the history. Moreover, it also allows the natives, especially youngsters to stay connected to their roots and values. Additionally,  such locations and premises attract tourism, assisting  in generating huge revenue, thereby  contributing to the economy. For example, India with its wealth of monuments, reflecting richness, versatility and diversity, offer an enriching and enticing experience to tourists from across the world, and the majority of tourism comprises visitors craving to indulge with these ancient buildings. 

In contrast, many people believe that such preservation initiatives by the government are a waste of the contributions of taxpayers. They further argue that there are long-standing issues of the citizens that should be addressed and paid heed to, rather than focusing on saving structures that are already in a deteriorating state. Furthermore, rapid population growth and limited residential space are major concerns in modern society, and many old buildings could be demolished to make way for new infrastructure that would better serve humanity. 

In conclusion, I believe that ancient structures carry history and cannot be completely scrapped. It is also true that increasing population raises concerns with regards to accommodation. Hence, structures that could not be maintained should ideally be demolished, whereas the ones in good condition should continue to be maintained.