Most people would agree that buildings represent a valuable record of any [b]society's past, but controversy arises when old buildings stand on ground [b]that modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes. [b]In your opinion, which is more important-preserving historic buildings or [b]encouraging modern development? Explain your position, using reasons and [b]examples based on your own experiences, observations, or reading. （新与 [b]旧） [b][b]The issue of whether to raze an old, historic building to make way for [b]progress is a complex one, since it involves a conflict between our [b]interest in preserving our culture, tradition, and history and a legitimate [b]need to create practical facilities that serve current utilitarian [b]purposes. In my view, the final judgment should depend on a case-by-case [b]analysis of two key factors. [b]One key factor is the historic value of the building. An older building may [b]be worth saving because it uniquely represents some bygone era. On the [b]other hand, if several older buildings represent the era just as [b]effectively, then the historic value of one building might be negligible. [b]If the building figured centrally into the city's history as a municipal [b]structure, the home of a founding family or other significant historical [b]figure, or the location of important events, then its historic value would [b]be greater than if its history was an unremarkable one. [b]The other key factor involves the specific utilitarian needs of the [b]community and the relative costs and benefits of each alternative in light [b]of those needs. For example, if the need is mainly for more office space, [b]then an architecturally appropriate add-on or annex might serve just as [b]well as a new building. On the other hand, an expensive retrofit may not be [b]worthwhile if no amount of retrofitting would permit it to serve the [b]desired function- Moreover, retrofitting might undermine the historic value [b]of the old building by altering its aesthetic or architectural integrity. [b]In sum, neither modernization for its own sake nor indiscriminate [b]preservation of old buildings should guide decisions in the controversies [b]at issue. Instead, decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis) [b]considering historic value, community need, and the comparative costs and [b]benefits of each alternative [b]