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I want to say that my city has a great combination of _ structures and an ever growing urban life.

What adjective of heritage (or other word if suitable) can I use here?

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Is there something wrong with the obvious historic? – Brendon Nov 19 '11 at 13:32
But historic talks nothing about inheritance right? – mihsathe Nov 19 '11 at 13:33
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I don't fully understand your question I suppose. What do you mean by inheritance? Historic conveys that the structures have been there a long time, and all of the implications therein. If you're talking about something that's even older, "ancient" would apply. Otherwise, please clarify so we can better help you :) – Brendon Nov 19 '11 at 13:36
ok.. I guess historic should work well here. But any suggestions about adjective of heritage? – mihsathe Nov 19 '11 at 13:39
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Ever growing urban life has no inherent connection with either historic or heritage, and neither of those words have much connection with "inheritance" as generally understood. – FumbleFingers Nov 19 '11 at 13:40

3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Presumably you want a word more like previously-suggested traditional, vintage, or period, all good, rather than heritable or inheritable, the adjectival forms probably closest to heritage, which properly is a noun; but note there are numerous uses of the word as an adjective, e.g. in heritage turkey, heritage species, and heritage seeds [for which heirloom seeds is heard more commonly].

Depending on sought effect, some of distinct, outstanding, stylish, reputed, renowned, registered, nationally-known or -listed may apply.

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up vote 2 down vote

I have seen a large number of instances where heritage is used in an adjectival sense, including heritage structures itself.

We have a regular heritage walk for the interested, as part of heritage tourism aimed to create heritage awareness, where the walkers visit prominent heritage structures.

Let me hasten to add that I am not sure if all of it is grammatically correct.

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up vote 1 down vote

I assume historical/historic does not work for you because they are not noted in histories of the region, just older. How about older?

Some more possible synonyms, which may or may not work, depending on what you're trying to say: traditional, vintage, conventional, ancestral, period

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