Book excerpt: The surge in local interest in historic preservation laws has been accompanied by a new wave of planning for the preservation and protection of historic resources. This report examines the 10 essential elements of a good preservation plan. The authors explain the legal justification for historic preservation and the pitfalls that one can encounter when drafting a plan. Case studies show how various communities have modified these elements to fit individual circumstances and needs. A look at Atlanta, for example, illustrates how that city was able to build a preservation planning consensus among preservationists and developers. The appendices include a summary of growth management laws in 11 states that shows how these laws address important historic preservation issues.