A study of new construction in the residential historical districts of nine American communities was conducted in 1977-78. A reexamination of the same communities was also conducted in order to document the evolution of the public design review process and how it and/or other factors have influenced new design over a period of time. The communities that served as case studies are: Alexandria, Virginia; Arrow Rock, Missouri; Beaufort, South Carolina Galveston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Mobile, Alabama; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Savannah, Georgia; and Telluride, Colorado. There is greater public support as well as a strengthening of procedural and planning tools such as design guidelines. The most difficult issues now confronting the commissions are use-related, especially in districts where the balance has shifted from residential use to commercial, office or mixed-use or where uses have shifted to tourist services.