Over the decades, Birmingham squandered much of its architectural heritage.

Those grand old buildings of yesteryear – well-loved reminders of our city’s important and great past – were flattened in a sometimes ill-advised frenzy of redevelopment.

There were times when impressive and even iconic structures sprang up in their place.

But, generally, the standard of architecture in the post-war years was banal and Birmingham was left all the poorer for such a philistine assault on its heritage.

Who, for instance, would still choose to replace the grandeur and elegance of Birmingham’s old reference library with the concrete and glass brutality that now dominates much of the area?

These days, of course, we have begun to appreciate the importance of conservation and for that we must thank the enthusiasts – once viewed as a little eccentric, perhaps, but now regarded as mainstream campaigners.

Without their tireless battling and their passionate outrage, how many of our remaining gems would have been flattened to make way for boring, mundane and unpopular buildings dreamed up by journeymen architects?

We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for ensuring that Birmingham has not been totally denuded of man-made beauty.

Indeed, we have begun to sing loudly the praises of such buildings.

On this newspaper’s pages this week and next, local architect Matthew Goer will be highlighting some of the best.

They span the decades, but each adds greatly to the city-scape – great buildings like Birmingham School of Art, dating from the 1880s and alive with gorgeous detail and interest, and more modest buildings such as the quirky but enchanting pre-fabricated housing that provides a glimpse back at those dark days of the 1940s when homes had to be built rapidly after the ravages of the Blitz.

This treasuring of great buildings – because they are easy on the eye and provide a tangible link with our history – is crucial if we are to avoid the mistakes of previous generations.

No-one wants to stand in the way of progress.

But nor should we unthinkingly destroy the great gifts that past ages have bequeathed to us.

Let us rejoice in the sort of buildings highlighted by Matthew Goer – and resolve that they will still be around for our grandchildren to enjoy in years to come.