Havana: Anticipating a Solution by Design Action Studio

a ntic ip atin g a solutio n

This work is a collection of research done

by the Fourth-Year students of Marywood University School of Architecture's Fall 2016

Cuba Studio. Through careful examination of

the capital city, Havana, we have determined the debilitating problems it faces. This

document is a preface to, our anticipation of, solutions which aim to strengthen Havana's infrastructure, people, and livelihood.

table of contents history

History of Cuba US-Cuba Relations Soviet-Cuba Relations

culture

Heritage+Preservation Heritage+Eco-Tourism Global Cultural Influences Activism+Demographics Politics of Public Space

environment

Natural Forces Politics of Water Waste Systems

industry

Industrial Production Lineamientos+Economy Technology+Economics Resources+Industrial Ecology Transportation

planning

Urban Form PEDI Masterplan Visions

8 14 22

30 36 44 50 58

66 74 80

88 94 100 108 114

122 130 136

h i sto r y

Established long before European discovery of the New World, Cuba has constantly been placed in unique circumstances which have shaped and molded the country's identity. Tensions between eighteenth century foreign nations and the small Caribbean island eventually gave way to a new foreign power, creating lasting effects to international relations during the Cold War. To properly understand how and why Cuba came to be in such a critical situation, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history must be viewed holistically as each event in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s timeline drastically affected the development of the nation.

History of Cuba

U.S.-Cuba Relations

Soviet-Cuba Relations

HISTORY OF CUBA

Originally Cuba was made up of various indigenous tribes such as the Guanajatabey, Ciboney, and Taíno. The largest of the tribes, the Taíno, is thought to have up to 100,000 members at their peak. These tribes people existed in Cuba for almost 3500 years without interference from European Powers. In 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba accidentally while trying to circumnavigate the earth to get to India. The Spanish quickly drove out the native tribes to make room for fortifications and sugar cane plantations. Slaves were brought in from Africa to work alongside the natives on these massive operations. Cuba would often be invaded and occupied by both France and England. These times were pivotal in the formation of this nation because each country that occupied Cuba would leave its own mark upon the Cuban architectural landscape. England, for example, opened up global trade and improved the processing of sugar cane. This set Cuba up to become one of the largest sugar producers in the world from the mid-1700s to the late 1800s. While largely occupied by Spain until Cuban independence in 1898, many of the architectural styles used throughout the city draw from very different cultures. These style variations also create a visible chronology of the city. During its foundation, Colonial and Baroque architecture were the predominant styles which led to the eventual integration of the Neoclassical.

Baroque

Art Nouveau

Neoclassical

1500s - 1600s Light & Dark European Colonialism Spain & France

1800s Decorative “Whiplash” Motifs Bold Colors and Forms

Mid 1700s Classical Styling Vetruvian Principals Friezes and Reliefs

Predominant Styles. (Fig. 1)

NEOCLASSICAL

Neoclassical architecture is derived from the works of Andrea Palladio, and Italian architects that used Vitruvian principals to influence his greek and roman revival designs. This style is known to incorporate large columns and large detailed carvings within the structures. Starting in the early 1800s, this style was brought by the spanish who were inspired by the large paitos

found in traditional Spanish homes in Seville and Granada. Important structures in Havana built in this style are the Capitol building and the Plaza Vieja. The Capitol building especially represents this style with its overwhelming facade and cupola.

HISTORY OF CUBA

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY OF CUBA

COLONIAL & BAROQUE

The first permanent structures in Old Havana were the naval forts put up by the Spanish to fortify the city’s harbor. These can be found on either sides of the port inlet and at the time, made Havana the most heavily fortified areas within the western hemisphere. This Colonial Style was at its peak shortly after the discovery of the island nation and remained prevalent throughout the nation’s history. These forts still stand today in Cuba and as they did then, and showcase the wealth of its inhibitors. The Castillo de San Salvador located on the northern most point in Old Havana was completed in 170. However, constant additions and repairs were made due to its attacks from pirates and other nations. The Baroque Style differs greatly from the practically designed fortifications that first appeared on the island. This style has a perceived correlation with the expansion of 9

HISTORY OF CUBA

Bacardi Building National Museum

Castillo de San Salvador Museum of the Revolution

Plaza de la Catedral Catedral de la Virgin Maria Museo de la Ciudad Castillo de la Real Fuerza

Hotel Inglaterra Gran Teatro Hotel Inglaterra Gran Teatro Palazo de San Francisco Plaza Vieja El Capitolo

Central Railway Terminal

Colonial and Baroque Art Nouveau Neoclassical

Noteable Architecture in Old Havana (Fig. 2)

European powers into North America. This colonization brought large amounts of wealth to these nations which allowed them to create more extravagant buildings. Spain, which had one of the largest money influxes from its colonization of Cuba, is considered to be the mecca of the Baroque style. Ironically, when this style first came about, it was a counter-movement to the Catholic church which happened to be almost the exclusive religion in Havana.

ART NOUVEAU

Beginning in the 1800s, the Art Nouveau Style was one of the last defining architectural periods within Cuba until early modernism and the communist takeover. This style incorporates many different niche styles into one larger homogenized typology. By using traditional arches and hard static forms against leafy natural adornments the two opposites work cohesively to create a structure with great detail and a refined design. One of the most prolific buildings in Old Havana which utilized this style is the Bacardi Rum Building. This design utilizes wrought iron encasements over the windows in organic patterns along with white molding which offsets the natural red granite. The interior features large painted scenes, brass fixtures and rich wood paneling. This style was at its peak in the end of the 19th century into the beginning of the 20th. This lavish building style can also be attributed to the large influx of money which Spain had at this time after perfecting sugar cane processing and global trade.

Colonial

Neoclassical

Art Nouveau

Throughout time, the architectural landscape of Cuba was dominated by the controlling powers of the time. While the powers shifted the citizens remained and maintained what had been forced out. Early Colonial architecture was simplistic with vaulted patios and moldings on the spandrel highlighting the interior frescos and openings. The Neoclassical architectural period maintained the verticality of the patios with Greek columns. Larger friezes and delicate moldings showcase the large pediments at the gable of the structure. Art Nouvea incorporated the essence of these two old world styles into a sleek modern exterior. The organic reliefs pay respect to the classic reliefs that adorn the pediments of Greek structures while the heavy lines formed from the recessed windows showcase the height of the structure as columns did.

HISTORY OF CUBA

EVOLUTION OF THE CUBAN STYLE

The Cuban Style, as it exists today, is a blend of these three individual styles. Many aspects of these styles are based in similar architectural principals such as the overstated vertical structures within the diagrams of Figure 3. Each style stresses the height and scale of these buildings through symmetry of columns, recessed windows and strong junctures within programmatic elements. While some traditional buildings retain the boxy style synonymous with low cost construction, classical buildings from the pre-Soviet era reflect the individuality and social rank of each occupant giving the Cuban city the diversity that can be found within the city today. 11

How has the constantly shifting architectural landscape of Cuba affected its citizens QUESTIONS sense identity within theirRAISED community?

How has the constantly shifting architectural of Cuba affected citizens What elements of classical Cuban architecturelandscape are accepted as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sitsown despite sense identity theirthem community? foreign powerswithin imposing on the city? What elements of community classical Cuban architecture areofaccepted as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own despite Would the Cuban be more accepting a new style urban interventions that foreign powers imposing them on the are reminiscent of how the people viewcity? their society now?

Would the Cuban community be more accepting of a new style urban interventions that SOURCES are reminiscent of how the people view their society now? 1. Gilderbloom, John I., Ph.D. "Six Historic Cuban Cities: Historic Preservation, Planning, SOURCES Architecture & Sustainable Development." March 20, 2016, 1-17. Accessed September 10,

16. Louisville Sun. 1. Gilderbloom, Ph.D. "Six Historic Cities: Historic Preservation, 2. "RevitalizationJohn andI.,Modernization of OldCuban Havana, Cuba." Scholar Commons,Planning, February Architecture & Sustainable Development." Marchof20, 2016, 1-17. Accessed September 10, 09, 1-118. Accessed September 23, 16. University South Florida. 16.Suma, Louisville Sun."Blog." Architecture in Cuba: Havana. September 13, 2012. Accessed 3. Monica. 2. "Revitalization and Modernization of Old Havana, Cuba." Scholar Commons, February October 1, 2016. https:/ /insightcuba.com/blog/2013/09/13/architecture-in-cuba-havana. 09,Owens, 1-118. Accessed 23, 16. University of South Florida. Digest." 4. Mitchell. September "A Design Lover's Guide To Cuba | Architectural 3. Suma, Monica. "Blog." Architecture in Cuba:November Havana. September Architectural Digest. April 15, 2015. Accessed 14, 2016. 13, 2012. Accessed October 1, 2016. https://insightcuba.com/blog/2013/09/13/architecture-in-cuba-havana. http:/ /www.architecturaldigest.com/story/havana-cuba-travel-article. 4. Freeman, Owens, Mitchell. "AJosh Design Lover's GuideRoth To Cuba | Architectural 5. Belmont, Wallaert, Marco and Katarina Dudas,Digest." and Keith Eggener. Architectural Digest.IsApril 15, 2015. Business." Accessed November 14, 2016. "Havana: Nostalgia a Dangerous Places Journal. 2010. Accessed October 11, http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/havana-cuba-travel-article. 2016. https://placesjournal.org/article/havana-nostalgia-is-a-dangerous-business/. 5. Freeman, Belmont, Josh Wallaert, Marco Roth and Katarina Dudas, and Keith Eggener. "Havana: Nostalgia Is a Dangerous Business." Places Journal. 2010. Accessed October 11, 2016. https://placesjournal.org/article/havana-nostalgia-is-a-dangerous-business/.

14 14

HISTORYHISTORY OF CUBAOF CUBA

HISTORY OF CUBA

HISTORYHISTORY OF CUBAOF CUBA

QUESTIONS RAISED

HISTORY OF CUBA 13

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

CUBA’S TOP EXPORT PARTNER (IN 1955)

CUBA’S TOP EXPORT PARTNERS (IN 2015)

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS.

Cuba has experienced a lasting effect on their economy from the trade embargo that the U.S. place on them in the 1950’s. Before the trade embargo went into affect, the U.S. accounted for 74% of Cuban exports. When Fidel Castro came into power Cuba broke off from the U.S. and became dependent on the USSR, and in 1985 the USSR was accountable for 75% of Cuban exports. The most recent change in Cuban exports happened in 1991 when the USSR collapsed and left Cuba with minimal trade partners. The collapse of the USSR caused the Cuban economy to crash along with it. Due to the problems in the past Cuba has diversified their exports instead of relying on one country for the majority of them.

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

CUBA AND THE U.S.

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

CUBA’S TOP EXPORT PARTNER (IN 1985)

CUBA’S TOP EXPORT PARTNERS (IN 2030 PROJECTION)

1 15

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS 16

TIMELINE SPECULATIVE

(BASED ON US-PUERTO RICO RELATIONSHIP)

TIMELINE

ACTUAL HISTORY OF CUBA AND U.S.

TIMELINE

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

SPECULATIVE

(BASED ON US-PUERTO RICO RELATIONSHIP)

TIMELINE

ACTUAL HISTORY OF CUBA AND U.S. 17

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS 18

BLAME THE EMBARGO? (COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS OF PUERO RICO) Many Cubans and Cuban-Americans over the last 50 years have solely blamed the trade embargo for all of the economic problems in Cuba. Yet if you look at the current GDP (Gross Domestic Product) annual growth rate of both countries, Cuba has an annual GDP growth rate of 4.30% and Puerto Rico has an annual GPD growth rate of -0.6%. Although Puerto Rico currently has a higher GDP than Cuba, Cuba’s GDP has been on the rise while Puerto Rico’s GDP has been decreasing over the last decade. This shows that the trade embargo hindered Cuba’s growth in the beginning but has not hurt their growth over the last ten years. This trend also helps portray that Puerto Rico’s decision to join the U.S. as a commonwealth may not have helped their current economy as much as they originally thought it would have. And also that Cuba’s decision to not join the U.S. may not have hurt them as much as it seems to have.

Over the last couple of decades the CubanAmerican support for the trade embargo has been decreasing, this shows that maybe the embargo is an idea of the past that has overstayed its welcome and it is time to abolish it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1991, just 13% of Cuban-Americans opposed the embargo. By 2011, 44% opposed the embargo and by 2014, according to a Florida International University poll, 52% of Cuban-Americans are in favor of lifting the embargo.â&#x20AC;? (Hanson)

Drawing description. (Fig. 1)

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

ABOLISH THE EMBARGO?

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

QUESTIONS RAISED • • •

Would Cuba have been better off taking the same route as Puerto Rico by joining the United States as a territory? Does Cuba need the trade embargo to be lifted? Or can they continue to survive independently? Did the trade embargo stall the growth of Cubas economy for too long? Or can they still recover economically?

SOURCES

TEXT 1. http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/12/17/371405620/the-u-s-and-cuba-a-brief- history-ofa-tortured-relationship 2. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fidel-castro 3. http://www.ibtimes.com/us-cuba-relations-timeline-cuban-embargo-1761546 4. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-12159943 5. http://www.cnn.com/US/9602/cuba_shootdown/ 6. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/17/alan-gross-jewish_n_6340798.html 7. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/17/alan-gross-jewish_n_6340798.html 8. http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=10663 9. http://www.cfr.org/cuba/timeline-us-cuba-relations/p32817 10. http://www.infoplease.com/world/countries/cuba-primer/timeline.html 11.http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/time/timetbl5.htm IMAGES FUGENICO BAUTISTA PICTURE http://cdn-6.mrdowling.com/images/710batista.jpg CASTRO REVOLT PICTURE http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/200/media/images/62856000/ jpg/_62856070_cuba_castro_57_g.jpg AMERICAN FLAG http://www.ace-clipart.com/clipart/american_flag_clipart/usa-flag.gif BAY OF PIGS http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER2/dah_01_img0147 MISSILE CRISIS https://745515a37222097b090274ef300a2b2b2d9e236c9459912aaf20.ssl.cf2. rackcdn.com/f6a8cedca71b1e4153637f4b0c09ff7e.gif MARIEL BOATLIFT https://s-mediacacheak0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/2d/9c/ b62d9c9825dc8cc068ac77ffd00c0a28.jpg 20

U.S. CUBA RELATIONS

SOURCES

TIGHENING EMBARGO MONEY http://picturesofmoney.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ money-with-a-belt.jpg EXODUS OF REFUGEES http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ RTXF8VC.jpg BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/media/jpg/ caribbeansea/med/csmep030310010.jpg ELIAN CAPTURED http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/AP_elian_gonzales_raid_01_ jef_150421_4x3_992.jpg THE CUBAN 5 http://cubanos.org.uk/images/cuba/cuban5_london.png RAUL AND FIDEL CASTRO http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/assets/12275005/CASTROS. jpg CASTRO TAKES OVER http://msmonasmith.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Fidel_ Castro1.jpg FALL OF USSR https://userscontent2.emaze.com/images/d303ebe2-7455-4c85-b9d4fca8230ba 6c1/1807848943e635030dded204128a456a.jpeg LYNDON JOHNSON SKETCH http://www.presidential-power.org/images/president-lyndonjohnson.jpg FLAG HANDS SHAKING http://yalibnan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/US-Cubadeal-e1437370030304.png CUBAS COAT OF ARMS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Cuba#/media/File:Coat_ of_arms_of_Cuba.svg COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA LOGO https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ thumb/8/80/LOGO_PART_COM_CUBANO.svg/2000px-LOGO_PART_COM_CUBANO.svg. png RONALD REAGAN http://www.cubaheadlines.com/sites/default/files/cubahl_oldimages/ Ronald%20Reagan.jpg CASTRO AND USSR LEADER http://media4.s-nbcnews.com/j/streams/2013/ november/131119/2d9730522-131118-castronikita-446p.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000.jpg CUBAN SOCIALIST BOOK http://www.vanguardia.cu/images/vanguardia_digital/ historia/2016/02-24-aniversario-de-laconstitucion-cubana-de-1976/constitucion-republicacuba.jpg RAUL CASTRO http://lainfo.es/en/wp-content/uploads/lainfo.es-7875-cuba1-lista.jpg ALAN GROSS http://217.218.67.233/photo/20160315/7695a1b1-b146-4409-88f8-c941205f7c86. jpg OBAMA AND CASTRO http://static2.politico.com/dims4/default/29567b3/2147483647/ resize/1160x%3E/quality/90/?url =http%3A%2F%2Fs3-originimages.politico. com%2F2015%2F04%2F11%2F150411_obama_castro_gty_1160.jpg

SOVIET- CUBA RELATIONS / HISTORY

TIMELINE

Castro overthrowing the government in 1959 sent Cuba spiraling down an indebted path with the Soviet Union to heal the wounds Castro drew with the United States. The United States left Cuba helpless when they pulled out of the sugar trade. The Soviet Union knew Cuba was a strategic

1959: Castro overthrows the Cuban Government, seizing American assets and crippling trade.

1960: The USSR comes to aid Cuba with trade agreements.

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

1964: The United States officially enforces the trade embargo.

1965: The Integrated Revolutionary Party rises marking the beginning of Cuban Communism.

SOVIET - CUBA RELATIONS/HISTORY

SOVIET- CUBA RELATIONS

piece of land geographically in their quarrel with the United States. This tension through the cold war caused incidents like the Cuban missile crisis and the Cuban embargo. These actions all negatively impacted Cuba but were perpetuated by the Soviet Union. In return the USSR kept Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy running and allowed Cuba to accumulate an enormous debt to have them as an ally. The Soviet Union gradually backed away from Cuba as tensions with the United States eased. Castro kept up relations with the USSR desperately because he never implemented a successful plan for economic diversity. Cuba is a nation built on sugar through the thirty year relationship with the Soviet Union. This proved to be ultimately detrimental after the conclusion of the partnership.

1970: Cuba guarantees more sugar to the USSR then they can actually deliver in a failed attempt to reduce debt.

SOVIET- CUBA RELATIONS / HISTORY

ECONOMY The Cuban economy was extremely fragile throughout the nation’s relationship with the USSR. The USSR created more of a dependent out of Cuba than an ally. Cuba needed the Soviet Union to take over the sugar trade because it was Cuba’s main export. Cuba did and somewhat still does rely on sugar to fuel their economy. This economy was very fragile and prone to failure. The Soviets flooded Cuba with cheap oil, grain and machinery during their period as allies. The trade was completely one sided. Cuba was indebting themselves as a nation because they were receiving more products from the USSR than they could afford to trade sugar for. The oil that came

1970-1991: Cuba begins to close the trade deficit by guaranteeing more sugar to the USSR then they can deliver spiraling the nation into debt

1976: Plans to build two Soviet nuclear power plants on Cuba commense but are never completed

1983: Castro visits Moscow where the USSR explains that they would not protect Cuba during a USA invasion.

from the Soviets was so cheap that Cuba was able to use the supply to run the whole nation and also sell the excess for profit to the world market. Castro and Cuba then began an effort to erase the debt by guaranteeing more sugar to the USSR to even the product trade. In 1970 Castro guaranteed to double the sugar output but then was not able to supply what was guaranteed. This trend continued as the Soviet Union sent over untested farming equipment to Cuba to help stimulate the Sugar harvesting. The machines proved ineffective on the Cuban terrain and Cuba lost out again on an opportunity to begin erasing the debt. The rash decisions of Castro ended up severely hurting the economy in the long run. In the 1980’s Castro invited Soviet economists to Havana to try and accomplish economic diversity. The country needs this diversity desperately if it ever has a chance to have a standalone economy. This was little help though as the Soviet Union fell in 1991 before much progress could be made. 1991: The USSR falls leaving Cuba without its main trade partner.

SOVIET - CUBA RELATIONS / HISTORY

CUBAN MISSILE SILOS

The USSR missile silos that were erected during the Cuban Missile Crisis are still there on the island today. Many farmers on working farms were displaced by the implementation of the silos. The current standing silos have been used and adapted by the farmers on the local land. One farmer specifically uses the remains for pens and fencing for his animals. Farners have used the concrete circular pens for corraling pigs. The silos which once almost caused a nuclear world war have now found their place within the Cuban Culture. Cuban Missile Silos

SOVIET - CUBA RELATIONS / HISTORY

QUESTIONS RAISED • • •

Did the Soviet Union ever really inted to help Cuba as they became allies or was it a sellfish relationship? What would Cuba be like today had Russia never interveined? Would Cuba have been any better off or would the same thing have happpened with another country?

SOURCES

CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. Coha. “Cuba – Russia Now and Then.” COHA. N.p., 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. “Cuba’s Architectural Demons.” Havana Timesorg Cubas Architectural Demons Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. Gordon, James. “Cuba’s Soviet Legacy: Inside the Caribbean Island’s Unfinished Nuclear Power Station That Lays Just 180 Miles off the Florida Coast.” Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. Jourdane, Maurice. “Effect of Cuban Embargo.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. Tsokhas, Kosmas. “The Political Economy of Cuban Dependence on the Soviet Union.” Springer 99 (1980): n. pag. Web.

SOVIET - CUBA RELATIONS / HISTORY 27

c u l t u re

In a society that gathers and thrives in public spaces, the politics that infiltrate these places have direct implications on Cuban culture and identity. Although there is an abundance of rich culture throughout Cuba, Cuban heritage and identity are questionable topics. Present-day Cuban youth do not fight for the future of Cuba alongside their activist parents; they leave the country instead. And those who have visited the island over the years and have helped shape Cuban culture are now straining the country: Unsustainable ecotourism practices in combination with Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heightened fame have put the natural landscape at risk.

Preservation, Identity, Heritage

Heritage | Eco-Tourism

Global Cultural Influences

Activism | Demographics

Politics of Public Space

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

INTRODUCTION

It is important to note that Preservation, Identity, and Heritage are three driving forces of culture operate as an interconnected network. The following chapter will examine how heritage influences the identity of the Cuban culture, as well as how identity can mold heritage through generations. Furthermore, these studies will attempt to explore preservation from a heritage and sustainable stand point, and how it impacts identity in both positive and negetive ways. To fully understand these topics it is imperative to acknowledge the external and internal forces at play. Defining what it means to be “Cuban” is a pervasive issue; here we will try to unearth the Cuban Identity. Cuba is the largest island in the Carribean, known for its diverse culture, exotic cuisine, and politically charged history. Cuba can be identified as a country of contrasts, lost in time. Heritage is the product of history and the formulation of identity. Identities can be interpreted through customs and traditions, and in Cuba specifically traditions are made up of layers formed from global influences and local customs. Preservation is how heritage and identity are maintained through time. For each of the three topics we will look at religion, the natural environment, architecture, politics, customs, the arts, the economy, and specifically the role that the tourism industry plays in this cultural equation.

catholisim

santeria

Preservation

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

pre ‘ 59 models AFRO-

Identity

CUBAN CULTURE

Heritage

CUBAN

9 CULTURAL

DIVIDE

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

HERITAGE

Cuban history and heritage dates back to the 1400s when Spain colonized the island. This was the first significant infiltration of culture where a large portion of the currrent Cuban identity stems from. Through history Cuba experienced waves of migration from many areas, such as Portugal, France, Jamaica, Africa and Haiti. The Map below illustrates the global migration patterns and what each culture contributed to the Cuban identity.

SPAI N | |PORTUGAL SPAIN PORTUGAL

Cuba wascolonized colonized Spain. Cuba was byby Spain. Spainish-European customs Spanish-European customs where brought Cuba, where broughttoto Cuba, includincluding religion, social ing religion, social customs, art, customs, art, and governing and governing systems. systems.

FRANCE FRANCE

French im French mmigration migrationtoto Cuba occured occured ininthe Cuba the 18th century century igniting 18th igniting Santiago de Cuba with Santiago de Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s its architecture. This archi t ecture. This wave of migration wave ofworkers migration brought and brought workers and new industries to the new island.industries to the island.

HAITI HAITI

The TheHaitain HaitainRevolution Revolubrought many many Haitain/tion brought French people and Haitain/French workers peopleinto andCuba, workers making a large into Cuba, making a contribution to the large contribution to workforce.

the workforce.

JAMAICA JAMAICA

Duetotois thei mthe ity Due proxirmproxi ity to island Jamaicans inserted to Cuba, Jamaicans themselves into the Cuban inserted themselves into workforce when the sugar the Cuban workforce cane industry was at a high. when the sugar cane industry was at a high.

AFRICA AFRICA

West African ancestry maintains West African ancestry maintains a prevelant thethe Cuban a prevelanthold holdonon Cuban culture.. Dating to to timthe es of Culture. Datingback back times slavery, the current culture of slavery, the culture is is compromised of African religious compromised of African religious customs, music, and food. customs, music, and food.

As much as migration into the country helped formulate Cuban culture and identity, migration waves out, specifically seen in the 20th century, have further shaped the current Cuban Identity. The timeline below points out effects of political and economical unrest on immigration and Cuban society causing a generational identity crisis. The first major wave of migration out of the country occured around the time of Castro’s Revolution.

Approximately, 100,000 middle to upper class citizens fled the country due to political termoil. This wave of people identified as assimilating the most into other cultures, credited to their willingness to leave their homeland in search of a better life. The largest wave of migration, reaching 125,000 people referred to as “marlietios”, migrated to the US during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift. The last signifcant wave followed the collapse of the

Revolution

Mariel Boatlift

Migration waves during and before the Revolution consisted of upper-middle class citizens wanting to flee the communist rule. These groups assimilated the most into other cultures

‘60

Mass emigration of Cubans to US. Approximately 125,000 middle-lower class refuges were brought into Florida, 71% were blue colored workers, criminals, and mental patients.

‘70

‘80

‘90

USSR causing a huge fall in the Cuban economy pushing out the extremely poor. When all this data is compiled and graphed we see how class structure played a role in the migration out of the country due to the economic struggles faced. As time went on more citizens felt they were being forced out or exiled from their homes. Missunderstandings between being an immigrant and being exiled directly affects ones self identity and obsucres heritage. When this is consistant in a nation, this can form a loss of national identity.

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

IDENTITY PRESERVATION | IDENITITY | HERITAGE

regulated immigration (into U.S.)

‘00

‘10

Collapse of USSR

Following the fall of the Soviet Union the Cuban economy fell into a fiscal crisis, losing trade and job oppurtunities. This caused another wave of migration, compromised of the extremely poor forced out due to economic hardships.

% of immigrants % that felt like exiles upper

classes

lower

identity crisis generations high in tourism industry 33

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

IDENTITY

Derived from the identiy crisis previously discussed, Cuba and the identity of the poeple has been split. Before we exmained an outward look on Cuban Identity, and here we will explore Cuban Identity from within the current nation. What does it mean to be Cubanness? Following years of political unrest, global influence resentments, and identity crisis’s, Cubans today fall victim to never having true freedom or being able to choose their own way of life. Within the country the people are defined by submission and conformity, while outside they are intrepted as a society of assimilation and hybridity. There is confusion on what to retain about their history and heritage and what should be forgotten. Despite many political and economical shifts the cultural heritage has always stayed in tact, but when so much anarchy unfolds the society is easily split using heritage identity as an engine. The image below analyzes this split within the country.

The sides to this divide are Afro-Cuban identifcation and Cubanidad identifaction. In current day Cuba, the largest cause to the split in society is the rise of the tourism industry. Cuba thrives off of a tourism fueled economy, but in order to maintain high tourism, the locals are being pushed out of the Cuban image and even their homes.

PRESERVATION

Heritage Preservation is a huge sector in the Cuban nation. Being such a rich and diverse place of culture and history, sustainable preservation is understandably neccessary to maintain hertiage through generations. In a more tangible sense, the global organization UNESCO has established nine World Heritage Sites in Cuba for their historical and cultural significance. These preserved sites are a huge aid to the tourism industry. Cuba uses these locations to their advantage to atract tourists.

What is not commonly known is how they preserve these areas to facilitate more tourism and whether or not this Cuban image that is being preserved is fake or real. After analyzing UNESCO sites within large Cuban cities, tourism zones, and researching the residential patterns on those overlapping areas, reveals how the tourism industry is “relocating” Cuban citizens to preserve a modified Cuban Identity. The [human] divide between the place of identification from the place of omission becomes more tangible as the tourism industry grows, and is facilitated by the spatial dynamics & interpretation of [Heritage] Preservation.

PRESERVATION | IDENITITY | HERITAGE WORKFORCE WORKFORCE

TOURISM TOURISM

40%

60%

business owners/ business owners/ entrepenuers entrepenuers

lightskinned lightskinned

TW O CUBAS

African Ancestory-

Settle in Eastern part of the island. Segregated. Typically middle-lower classes. Contribute significantly to religious traditions, food, & music.

CUBAN NES S

European Ancestory-

“White-Cubanidad” Business owners / entrepenuers. Catholisism. Spanish-European traditions.

AFRO-CUBAN CUBANIDAD

colonialism colonialism vs. vs. imperialism imperialism

eilite elite vs. vs. poor poor

identifywith with success success of identify ofRevolution Revolution vs. vs. victims of the victims theRevolution Revolution

mainstream mainstream vs. vs. marginalized marginalized

tourists tourists vs. vs. citizens citizens

28,00 28,0

migrated migrated into into me m seeking seeking work work /ye /y

UNESCO Heritage Sites

PRESERVATION, IDENTITY, & HERITAGE

PRESERVATION EFFECTS

UNESCO Heri age Sites cities UNESCO sittes in large high tourism UNESCO sites inregions large cities

tourist sites regions affecting high tourism the residential sphere tourist sites affecting the residential sphere

WORKFORCE

TOURISM

28,000 28,000 28,000

WORKFORCE TOURISM WORKFORCE TOURISM QUESTIONS RAISED 40% 60% business owners/ entrepenuers

lightskinned

migrated into metro areas

seeking work /year in ‘90s How do you make the place you were exiled from a better place, mentally and physically? migrated into migrated into metro metro areas areas business is owners/ lightskinned business owners/ lightskinned Who benefitting from the tourism industry? seeking entrepenuers seeking work work /year /year inin ‘90s ‘90s entrepenuers Does authenticity and culture commodifications pay the price for (re) constructions of the Cuban identity for tourist consumption?

40%

SOURCES

60%

1. Visser, Prof.Thomas. University of Vermont and Preservation Trust of Vermont collaborate on historic preservation research trip to Cuba, 2002. 2. Elliot, Sara. How Cuban Traditions Work, 201, 1-5. 3. Del Aguila, Juan M. Exiles or Immigrants?: The Politics of National Identity, 1998. 4. World Heritage Centre, UNESCO. Cuba, 2016.

5. Currie, Laura Penaranda. From Colonial Port to Post-Revolution: Urban Planning for 21st Century Havanna, 2012, 50-69. 6. Leech, Gary. Redeﬁning Socialism in Cuba, 2015 7. Bodenheimer, Rebecca M. Geographies of Cubanidad Place, Race, and Musical Performance in Contemporary Cuba, 2015. 8. Garret, Mica. Cubanness Within and Outside of Cuba, 2013.

9. Bradford, Blair. Privatization Reforms and the Cuban Tourism Industry: A Reflection on the Benefits and Consequences, 2015 10. Archtenberg, Emily. Gentrification in Cuba? The Contradictions of Old Havana, 2013. 11. Hill, Matthew J. The Future of the Past: World Heritage, National Identity, and Urban Centrality in Late Socialist Cuba, 2011, 186-205.

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

INTRODUCTION

Heritage and Eco-Tourism play integral roles in the workings of Cuba’s economy and hold a place in the foundation of the Cuban culture. Although a heritage and tourism oriented Cuba may bring benefits to many parties, it does not bode well for everyone and may not be in the best interest of Cuba as a whole moving into the future. The following chapter investigates the variables found in the heritage and eco-tourism market that greatly effect the fabric of Cuban culture.

HERITAGE

The word heritage is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as, “features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, which

UNDP funds Cuba to restore Old Havana

come from the past and are still important.” In this chapter heritage refers to the objects, traditions or ideas within Cuban culture that lend themselves to a sense of national pride and identity. Or on an international level, cultural artifacts and customs that bequeath to worldly significance because of their wonder and authenticity. The leading institutional body that deals with world heritage and identifying the cultural landmarks worth prospecting by the rest of the world is UNESCO.

UNESCO

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization is the institution that fabricated the designation of World Heritage Site (WHS), a well known title given to regions of the world determined to have outstanding international importance. Cuba has nine of these sites, Havana is home to one of them. As seen in the timeline below,

fall of Soviet Russia

1976

1991

1982

UNESCO designates Old Havavna as WHS

UNESCO comes into play in Havana in 1982 by designating Habana Vieja and its colonial era fortification as a world heritage site. This has many factors at play both before and after the commission. As illustrated in the PEDI Masterplan chapter of this book, the (OHCH) Office of the Historian of the City of Havana was given control of Habana Vieja to preserve and restore the crumbling old city. This was an effort to help ignite a cultural pride and identity among Cubans, and in particular the residents that lived in the crumbling neglected part of the city. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) caught wind of the efforts and allocated $1 million to the restoration efforts in 1976. In 1981 the Cuban government gave $10 million in funds to restore Habana Vieja through in a 5 year plan produced by the OHCH. This measure of preserving the area prompted UNESCO to review an application for Habana Vieja

tourism zones in Havana set up

1991-1998

“Special Period”

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

US relaxes embargo with Cuba

1994

2016

1996

restructuring of Plaza Vieja 37

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

becoming a World Heritage Site (WHS). UNESCO deemed Habana Vieja and its surrounding fortifications as universally valuable in its cultural uniqueness and authenticity. In 1982 Habana Vieja was commissioned a WHS.

Trading Heritage for Tourism

This WHS status put the city of Havana in the international spotlight and prompted the OHCH to continue restoration efforts and urban development with the goal to invigorate the city and spark Cuban identity and pride in their colonial culture. Then, in 1991 Communist Russia fell, Cuba lost more than 70% of its trade and sent its economy in a free fall. Fidel Castro called for a “Special Period in a Time of Peace,” a period of government control that aimed at surviving the recession. The Cuban government opened up international tourism in order to make money to fund its socialism ideologies. The heritage that was celebrated and being rebuilt was immediately closed off to Cuban’s as it primed itself for international consumption and tourism, a lifestyle that was considered evil and wasteful in the eyes of socialism.

Plaza Vieja as it stands after the restoration effort.

Plaza Vieja

Plaza Vieja was an active community gathering space and relic of American influence, embodied in the concrete plaza that covered an old parking garage in a square surrounded by residences and apartments. Locals spent their evenings in the urban park and children used it as a place to play baseball. In 1996 the OHCH stepped in and took two years to demolish the plaza in order to construct their interpretation colonial gathering space. Complete with a fenced marble fountain, cannons acting as bollards to prevent local traffic and renovated buildings 38

along the perimeter filled with restaurants and boutique hotels (Fig.1). The lengthy construction process displaced residents and the completed square shunned locals from interacting in the way they did before. Now the square is one of the most renowned tourist landmarks in Havana and is praised for its cultural significance and its picture perfect colonial setting. But at the same time, it’s as foreign to the locals as it is the tourists. The plaza is no longer a community space to unwind and relax, but a postcard of a fabricated Havana culture

for the tourists to enjoy. Plaza Vieja is a prime example of the transformations that took place all over Habana Vieja, in an effort to exploit the World Heritage status and siphon the much needed funds for the struggling economy. The Cuban government and the OHCH have undergone a process of fabricating an environment that is in line with the World Heritage Habana Vieja, not the current beliefs. The government is capitalizing on the frozen vision of the past, and in doing so they are creating a fissure between the international perception and the Cubano’s Cuba.

The graphs below helps illustrate where the Cuban market stands compared to rest of the Caribean the United States and the world in relation to tourism related economics. The graphs below display; GDP percentage generated by tourism, the percent of tourism revenue that is collected by the government, percent of tourists that are non-domestic, percent of national emplyment devoted to tourism and percent of the countries GDP invested in touism devleopment. 52 .9

% GDP generated by

95.4

70.4

tourism/ tourist cuba caribbean islands

27.5

8.0

10.4

20.6

8.3

9.6

10.6

9.5

based

76.6

% leisure purpose

6.8

revenue collected by government

Data provided by: WTTC Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2015

16.2

% of total employment is

14.6

9.8

that are international

14.4

70.2

9.8

world average

90.6

travel

18.9

usa

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

VARIOUS TOURISM STATISTICS

18.1 8.0

15.7 5.8

% total exports

account for

12.2 4.4 4.4

% GDP invested in

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM Photo of a beach outside of Havana, notice how crowded it is, how does this affect its environment?

TOURISM

Tourism has played a key role in Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy for over a century. Since its independence from Spain in 1902 and the beginning of US influence, American businessmen and weekenders went to Cuba for its beaches and sun. The beautiful beaches and landscape also brought vacationers from all over the world. In 1959 when communism started in Cuba, tourism was largely shut down because of its relationship with

capitalism and consumption. This did not last for long however, when Communist Russia fell in 1991 Cuba lost over 70% of its trade and plummeted into a deep recession. Fidel Castro then opened up tourism as a means to garner international funds and sustain its economy. Castro opened the country up to international companies and even gave the OHCH power to invest in hotels and tourist hotspots in Habana Vieja. Companies from all over the globe took advantage of the opportunity to build resorts and hotels in a rejuvenating tourism industry.

The OHCH worked with these companies to open up desirable land, and in some cases relocate residents to make way for shopping malls and Disney style resorts along the sandy coast. The effects of these actions is seen on an urban scale. Municipalities near tourist sites are experiencing massive declines in population since 1980 due to the injection of tourism and the residential relocating that the Office of the Historian practices. The chart to the right illustrates this point. These tourism practices donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only affected the residents either.

A resort located in the Playa district of Havana, the unnatural planting of trees and landscaping is typical of these resorts.

Tourism

Pop. Density change from 1980-2014

High Concentration

Habana del Este

Low Concentration

La Lisa

Boyeros

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

TOURISMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EFFECT ON POP. DENSITY Cotorro

Guanbacoa

Regla Playa

-10

Habana Vieja

Marianao

Cerro

Plaza de la Revolution

Centro Habana

Arroyo Naranjo

San Miguel

Diez de Octobre

-40

current pop density

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

The coastal environments are also greatly affected. The vacation resorts transformed the landscape, planting non-indigeous plants and reshaping the shore. This has huge effects on the coastal zones in addition to the troves of people that occupy the beaches daily. In summation, Cuba has found themselves in a cycle of unsustainable tourism. In order for these opportunities to be around for Havana residents and tourists in the future, Cuba needs to revamp the way they address tourism and look at more sustainable resourceful methods. Promoting small scale eco tourism, like family visits to waterfalls, or other desirable coastal locations, instead of letting the tourists out in huge swathes at once to decimate the beaches is needed to ensure the sustainability of Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caribbean fauna and ecosystems.

Eco Tourism

Eco tourism is the tourism for the purpose of nature, tourism exists in other forms such as art, history, culture and food. Cuba is certainly home to those types of tourism as well but the Caribbean beaches and tropical climate are a unique and desirable. Eco tourism over the past twenty to twenty-five years has taken a toll on the ocean ecosystems and reefs near Cuba. Fish and coral species are dying off due to pollution and over fishing. Tropical forests and their sometimes delicate plants are being trampled by over use and decimated by the development of resorts and urban sprawl associated with the resident exodus of the city due to tourist preference Eco tourism does not have to be all bad news, by finding the right price point, one that generates more money for the economy and preservation and does not allow for cheap, foolish, irresponsible consumption is the first 42

Havana

Plaza de Revolution

Central Havana

Old Havana

Playa

The only Government backed taxi routes for tourists in Havana.

step in moving toward a more rational eco tourism model. Ironically, developing the urban tourism infrastructure will also help the sustainability of eco tourism. Developing better ways to resolve garbage and sewage, creating energy efficient transportation networks, central nodes or areas of diverse program so tourists and residents alike do not have to travel excessive distances to get to their desired locations. Also strategically creating tourist hotspots throughout Havana will help mitigate the overcrowding effects in the current few tourist appropriate areas. Right now, the Cuban government allows only two main roads to be used for taxis to pick up tourists. This creates overcrowding, tourists are packed in these special zones with limited access to the rest of the city so they all congregate to the same places, ruining the environment around them. There is an old saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;everything in moderation,â&#x20AC;? that is what needs to be done in Havana. Cuba is expecting a double in the number of yearly tourists in the next few years, to have any chance at creating a successful resilient eco tourism industry, they need to diffuse the tourists zones and come up with better ways to take care of their waste. The Caribbean is beautiful and unique, it is important that the right measures are taken to preserve it. Havana

s Re

Plaza de Revolution

Central Havana

Old Havana

Playa Hotel and Resort Locations in turricephaly municipalities.

• • •

HERITAGE & ECO TOURISM

QUESTIONS RAISED

How will Cuba’s economy and infrastructure be affected with the expected influx of tourists starting in the year 2017 due to the relaxation of the embargo with the United States? What immediate changes to infrastructure need to be made to support continuing tourism growth? How is the relationship between tourists and Havana locals? What can be done to make it more beneficial for Havana residents while maintaining a vibrant necessary tourism industry?

SOURCES

1. Fuentes, Gabriel. The Politics of Heritage and Globalization in Havana, Cuba. 2015. 2. Coyula, Marlo. The Old, Havana Way. revista.drclas.harvard.edu. 2016. 3. World Travel & Tourism Council. Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2015 Cuba. 2015, 3-8. 4. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Cuba. 2016. 5. Colantonio, Andrea. Tourism in Havana during the Special Period: Impacts, Residents’ Perceptions, and Planning Issues. 2004. 6. Peters, Phillip. International Tourism, The New Engine of the Cuban Economy. 2002. 7. Knight, Martin. Sharpley, Richard. Tourism and the State in Cuba: From the Past to the Future. 2009. 8. Lindeman, Tripp, Whittle, Stewart, Moulaert-Quiros. Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Cuba.2001. 9. Sixto, Felipe. Cuban Trade and Tourism: Economic, Political, and Social Concerns. 2006.

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Over the past centuries, Cuban culture has become diverse, complex and intriguing. With many influences throughout its history, from Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, a unique Cuban culture has been shaped. The birth of Cuban culture had its beginning from the natives whose traditional legacy was significantly reduced by the impact of Spanish conquest and settlement3. During the first centuries of the colonization, African groups came with the Spanish under conditions of slavery. The slaves were placed together in plantation fields therefore creating a new cultural connection among the African people3. After being freed from Spain, the United States acted as a neo-colonial force dominating Cuban culture3. With the Cuban Revolution, the Soviet Union became involved in Cuba as a major ally thus bringing cultural influences until the collapse of Socialist bloc1. A generation of Cubans grew up with Russian cartoons, clothes and canned food6. Throughout all of these changes in alliance over its history, Cuba has managed to form its own culture using the traditions of all those who have passed through the island. From the flavorful mĂŠlange that is Cuban food to the rhythmic Salsa music to the architectural styles, the traces of Spanish, African, American, Moorish, French and Chinese people is clear10.

CULTURAL FACILITIES IN OPERATION, 2015 52

4 Homes of Trova in Havana

21 Cinemas in Havana

25 Libraries in Havana

34 Homes of Culture in Havana

34 Video Rooms in Havana

35 Art galleries in Havana

36 Theaters in Havana

51 Bookstores in Havana

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

ORIGIN

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

36 4

HAVANA

21 34

52 Museums in Havana

2,203

2,237

2,248

2,212

2,234

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

The dates represent the total sum of cultural faclities in operations from 2011 to 2015 (Fig. 1)

GLOBALCUL CULTURAL INFLEUNCES GLOBAL TURAL INFLUENCES

NORTH AMERICA Even with the U.S Embargo, American influence in Cuban music, fashion and literature has never stopped1.

CENTRAL AMERICA Mexico was huge cultural influence in Cuban cuisine6. 46

EUROPE Spain was the main cultural influence for Cuba from its food, to its music and even its architecture found around Havana3.

SOUTH AMERICA Venezuela and Brazil are a few countries that help cultivate the Cuban culture4.

AFRICA The African slaves brought cultural influences from food to music3.

RUSSIA During the time the Soviet Union inhabited Cuba, the Russians left a strong precense of their culture from architecture to food3.

ASIA China was one of the main source of supplies to Cuba helping them survive3.

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

MUSIC & ART

Cuban music and art are representative of the Cuban people. Music like Cha-Cha, Rumba, Bolero and Conga are a blend of African and Spanish heritage, generating distinctly Cuban music known around the world 10 . It is the syncopated rhythms of salsa music, with its African drumbeats and Spanish guitars, which have made Cuban music the leader of Latin music 10 . Music and art is a part of life in Cuba that allows Cubans to express themselves. Their art depicts the vibrancy of Cuba’s ethnic mixture. With influences of different cultures, Cuban genres such as Son, Mambo and Timba have been evolved 10 .

Cuban architecture (fig.4)

introduced by the Caribbeans. African contribution of yams, bananas, plantains and okra create a result that is classic Cuban food with tropical flair10. Each passing country left an imprint on the cuisine of Cuban food. Cuban locals playing music outdoors (fig.2)

FOOD

Cuban food is equally indicative of this eclectic mixture. With pork as the favorite ingredient and poultry a popular addition, flavors introduced by immigrants from the Andalucía region of Spain established the basic for Cuban cuisine3. Seafood was

Cuban cuisine (fig.3)

ARCHITECTURE

Architecture is a clear indication of Cuba’s cultural mix. Many homes and building reflect the heritage of Cuba’s indigenous people. Rectangular structures fronted by porches are typical of the homes built for Taino caciques and are found in Havana and other Cuban cities2. Spain’s memorable influence is also printed on Cuban architecture. The grills, arches, columns and stained glass windows so redolent of Spain are readily apparent throughout Cuba, which show testament of Spain’s longtime domination2. If one walks around the streets 47

GLOBALCUL CULTURAL INFLUENCES GLOBAL TURAL INFLUENCES

VISITORS PER COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, 2015 CANADA 36.89% EUROPE 25.33%

TOURISM IMPACT

SOUTH AMERICA 8.71 % UNITED STATES 4.57% CENTRAL AMERICA 3.42 % RUSSIA 1.23 % CHINA 1 % AUSTRALIA 0.5 % ISRAEL 0.2%

VISITORS INCREASE FROM 2010 TO 2015

39.2% 2,531,745 5%

trusted elites are allowed to have Internet at home

36%

increase in number of Americans visiting Cuba

of Havana and Cuba, one can observe the different architecture styles brought by settlers. A mixture of colonial & baroque, neoclassical, art deco, art nouveau and eclectic styles are seen2.

3,524,779 151

film published in Cuba in 2015

80%

of Cuban food is imported

Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture influences and is influenced by tourism. It has been a driving force of cultural change across Cuba since the beginning. Over the past centuries, tourism has been a way Cuba has been able to survive and maintain its country8. With the tourism industry increasing, comes the flux of change in not only Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture but economy, politics and environment. Many tourist travel to learn about different cultures while some only travel for the resorts. If not properly managed, tourism can cause irreversible damage to culture. It could cause a loss of local identity and values8. The invasion of outsiders in the area may disturb the local culture and create unrest among the people. The local people may begin to copy the lifestyles of tourists through the demonstration effect which would result on the loss of native customs and traditions9. The impact of ending the U.S embargo will cause a boom on tourism from America1. Cuba is a country whose language, music, literature and fashion are steeped in influences from Western Culture. Despite half century of official hostility, western culture has had a big influence7. Cubans want to share their traditions and culture with the world but they do not want to change it.

radio stations located in Havana

tv channels per province

How can the Cuban people preserve their culture? Should tourism be limited in Cuba? Do Cubans have a choice to accept modern culture into their lifes?

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

• • •

GLOBAL CULTURAL INFLUENCES

QUESTIONS RAISED

SOURCES

1. Barco, Mandalit Del. “The U.S. Influence On Cuba’s Rapid Cultural Change.” NPR. NPR, 21 May 2016. Web. 09 Sept. 2016. 2. Cliff, Sj. “What Are the Influences behind Cuba’s Architecture?” The Gap Travel Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2016. 3. “Embassy of Cuba in USA: Culture.” Cuban Diplomatica. Embassy of Cuba in USA, n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2016. 4. Oficina Nacional De Estadística E Información Republica De Cuba. “Cultura.” ANUARIO ESTADÍSTICO DE CUBA 2015 (n.d.): 7-14. Web. 6 Sept. 2016. 5. Oficina Nacional De Estadística E Información Republica De Cuba. “Turismo.” Anuario Estadístico De Cuba 2015 (n.d.): 7-15. Print. 6. Pino Santos, Paloma Henriquez. “Cuba, Globalization Y Valores: Hacia Donde Vamos?” Cubasi. cu. N.p., 02 Dec. 2014. Web. 7 Sept. 2016. 7. Rodriguez, Andrea, and Michael Weissenstein. “U.S. Culture Already Influences Cuba as Political Ties Resume.” The Seattle Times. N.p., 13 Aug. 2015. Web. 09 Sept. 2016. 8. Tipton, John. “Revolution vs Globalization.” New Internationalist All Posts RSS. N.p., Mar. 2003. Web. 09 Sept. 2016. 9. “What the Changes in U.S.-Cuba Relations Mean for Tourism.” KnowledgeWharton Havana or Bust How USCuba Relations Will Impact Tourism Comments. N.p., 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 10. “Who Influenced Modern Cuban Culture? - Agozar.” Agozar. N.p., 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 09 Sept. 2016.

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

DEMOGRAPHICS: the study of a population based on factors such as age and race

HAVANA, CUBA TOTAL POPULATION

2 MILLION

15% Black

~20% of Cuba’s 11 million

LIFE EXPECTANCY

years

1% Asian

RACIAL GROUPS

26% Mixed

58% White

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

MAIN RELIGIOUS GROUP

Roman Catholic DEPENDENCY RATIO

17%

youth + 20% elderly

CONTROLLED DOMESTIC MIGRATION

OVERSTRETCHED ELEMENTS OF HAVANA’S URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

The Cuban government impedes domestic migration into Havana under the pretense that Havana’s resources are overstretched Due to these controls, the city’s low birth rate, and the city’s high emigration rate, Havana’s population is barely growing LAND

TRANSPORTATION

WATER

ELECTRICITY

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

CUBA

11 MILLION

THE UNITED STATES 325 MILLION

TOTAL POPULATION

60% ROMAN CATHOLIC 23% YOUTH + 19% ELDERLY

47% PROTESTANT

MAIN RELIGIOUS GROUP DEPENDENCY RATIO

29% YOUTH + 22% ELDERLY

9% Black

5% Asian 12% Black

RACIAL GROUPS

27% Mixed

16% Hispanic 64% White

64% White

BIRTH VS DEATH RATE

1960

LIFE EXPECTANCY

years

1980

2000

1960

1980

2000

years

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

HIGH EMIGRATION: 1.5 MILLION TOTAL MIGRANTS

< 1000 <10,000 <100,000 <1 MILLION

LOW IMMIGRATION: 10,000 MIGRANTS ORIGINS + DESTINATIONS

NEGATIVE NET MIGRATION RATE: -3.64 / 1000 people

CUBAN MIGRANTS

Most people who immigrate to Cuba are originally from Russia and Spain

Ages 25-35 most likely to leave Cuba

high emigration + low immigration = total population decrease

Most people who emigrate from Cuba are headed to Miami, Florida and Spain

65% of all Cuban migrants leave from Havana

decreasing birth rate + increasing death rate = total population decrease

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

COMMUNITY ISSUE: a problem facing a group of

people living in the same place + sharing common goals HAVANA: AN AGING CITY DEMOGRAPHICALLY: 20% of Havana’s population is 60+ due to: 1. Low birth rate 2. High life expectancy 3. High emigration rate of the youth

THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT ONE PARTY STATE: Government only legally recognizes the Communist Party

THE FOURTH TURNING: THE STRAUSS-HOWE GENERATION THEORY

POLITICAL REPRESSION: of all dissidents: breaking up protests, beatings, public shaming, employment termination, long and short-term imprisonment, torture, execution

Every 20 years is a new generation; every four generations is a new turning. We are currently in the fourth turning:

STRUCTURALLY: Havana is a 500+ year old city 85% of housing in the historical center is over 80 years old

CENSORSHIP: media, internet

Buildings + services are concentrated in the historical center for tourism

RESTRICTIONS OF FREEDOMS: expression, assembly, press, association, right to due process

Those living in Havana’s periphery cannot easily access these services

YOUTH CULTURE A GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCE

1st Generation: HIGH (Baby Boom Generation - 1943-1960) 2nd Generation: AWAKENING (Generation X - 1961-1981) 3rd Generation: UNRAVELLING (Millennial - 1982-2004) 4th Generation: CRISIS (Generation Z - 2005-present)

REPRESSION OF MINORITIES: LGBTQ, Blacks, Women

AWAKENING UNRAVELING HIGH

FIRST TURNING

SECOND TURNING

THIRD TURNING

CRISIS

FOURTH TURNING

THE AWAKENING GENERATION TODAY: Middle aged FOCUSED ON: The collective future of Cuba and the future of its citizens ALSO KNOWN AS: The Consciousness Revolution PRESENT-DAY ACTIVISTS: Fight against the government for democracy and human rights in Cuba WHAT DO THEY DO? Stage systematic protests in order to spread awareness of the issues they face within Cuba to other people throughout the world. They spread awareness about the hardships that the Cuban people have gone through under Fidel Castro as well as under the current regime

MILLENNIAL + GEN Z born 1982-present THE CRISIS GENERATION

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

GENERATION X born 1961-1981

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

YOUTH CULTURE: A GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCE

TODAY: Teens + Young Adults FOCUSED ON: Their individual present + future ALSO KNOWN AS: Hipsters of Havana PRESENT-DAY UNINTEREST: In politics: They do not identify with revolution-era ideologies; they studied it in school, they did not live it In Cuba: They do not want to work for the state for a monthly wage of ~$20 like most Cubans or work through the Black Market WHAT DO THEY DO? They embrace western cultural trends and forge new paths that previous generations never did. They leave Cuba to pursue individual ambitions such as art and music, and to acquire wealth.

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES ++ ACTIVISM ACTIVISM

ACTIVISM: the action of using vigorous campaigning to

bring about political or social change

THE GOAL:

DEMOCRACY IN CUBA + END OF GOVERNMENT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

NATIONAL LADIES IN WHITE Spouses of jailed dissidents that hold nonviolent protests in Havana every Sunday after mass Regularly receive short-term imprisonment, and sometimes long-term, as punishment

NATIONAL GROUPS: Democratic Solidarity Party, The Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba LOCAL GROUPS IN HAVANA: Ladies in White, Christian Liberation Movement, Varela Project

INTERNATIONAL GROUPS: International Committee for Democracy in Cuba, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, US Government’s ‘Cuban Thaw’

CUBAN THAW The warming of relations between Cuba and the United States that began in 2014 President Obama is the first US President to set foot in Cuba since 1928, ending 54 years of hostility between the two countries

• • • •

How can architecture help activism in Havana? How can Havana be restructured to meet the needs of an aging population? Could a revitilization of Havana convince the youth to stay? Would increased migration be enough to stabilize Cuba’s population?

DEMOGRAPHICS, ISSUES + ACTIVISM

QUESTIONS RAISED

SOURCES 1. “Cuban Youngsters.” Edu Bayer Photography. 29 July 2015. Web. 2. Oficina Nacional De Estad. 2006. Web. 3. “The World Factbook: CUBA.” Central Intelligence Agency. 2007. Web. 4. López, Gustavo. “Hispanics of Cuban Origin in the United States, 2013.” Pew Research Centers Hispanic Trends Project RSS. 15 Sept. 2015. Web. 5. “Origins and Destinations of the World’s Migrants, from 1990-2015.” Pew Research Centers Global Attitudes Project RSS. 17 May 2016. Web. 6. “Generating Light In A Dark Place: The Cuban Ladies In White.” Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba. 2014. Web. 7. Lopez, Mark Hugo, and Jens Manuel Krogstad. “As Cuban American Demographics Change, so Do Views of Cuba.” Pew Research Center RSS. 23 Dec. 2014. Web. 8. “2016 World Report: Cuba.” Human Rights Watch. N.p., 02 Jan. 2016. Web. 9. Strauss, William, and Neil Howe. The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy. New York: Broadway, 1997. Print.

POLITICS OF PUBLC SPACE

In any city, public spaces become the urbanscale venue for social life to unfold and thrive. In a setting such as Havana, its rich history would be remiss without mention of the environment in which politics energize and polarize its community and in turn, the public spaces shift in function and significance.

SPANISH RULE

OVERVIEW

1492 1514

Havana Establishment

Guerilla fighters enter Havana

1961

Nationalization of U.S. Businesses

1962

U.S. Trade Embargo

1968

Small/medium sized Cuban businesses closed.

1991

• Special Peacetime Period • Fall of Soviet Union

2016

1902

• Cuban Independence • Temporary U.S. Military Control

1952

Fulgencio Batista seizes power.

1958

Batista is ousted.

REVOLUTION > COMMUNIST PARTY RULE

1959

At the core of this politically charged landscape are three municipalities: Habana Vieja, Centro Habana and Plaza de la Revolución. These municipalities will be the core of this study, with the thread of major moments in Cuban political history binding multiple case studies of public spaces within them.

Spanish Colonization

1898

Independence Movements

INDEPENDENCE

1. A social place that is accessible to the general public; i.e. neither membership nor title is necessary to gain access to.

400 b.c.

Taíno tribes typically operated under rule of a tribe leader or chief.

TAÍNO RULE

PUB•LIC SPACE | noun

POLITICAL HISTORY

POLITICS OF PUBLIC SPACE

A general history of Cuba's political history can be split into 5 broad sections: Taíno Rule, Spanish Colonization and Rule, Independence Movements, Independence from Spain and the Cuban Revolution and Communist Party Rule. The evolution between these periods of time and corresponding political systems can be summed up by the Marxism-Leninsim theory. MARX•ISM-LEN•IN•ISM | noun 1. Political ideology which states class struggle plays a central role in understanding a society's inevitable progression from bourgeoiseoppression under capitalism to classless communism.

This ideology was first put into effect in the former Soviet Union, then, adopted by the emerging Communist Party during the Revolution. Its significance lays in its role in shaping the Cuban Communist Party and its policies. Furthermore, it speaks much about the discontent that rose among the working class throughout Spanish Rule and the Capitalist regime. This discontent was the precursor to the Cuban Revolution.

• Relaxing of U.S. - Cuba Relations

Major Political Moments 1

POLITICS OF PUBLC SPACE

POLITICS OF PRIVATE SPACE

In Habana Vieja, 74% of the land is used for residential programs, while plazas and parks make up about 1%. This percentage of residential land use is substantial, in comparison to other major Latin American cities, which average about 48% in dedicated residential land-use. In fact, "Socialist Cuba in the early to mid-1990s allocated the greatest number of their historic districts to housing. While the percentage of street-level entrances leading to commercial ventures has increased since the 1993 opening of the market, Habana Vieja is still predominantly residential." 2 While residency is commonly associated with privacy, residential buildings through out Havana were strictly regulated by the State. After the Revolution, private rental housing ended. In effect, all residental homes were owned by the occupants. However, due to the "Right of First Refusal," Cubans needed government permission to sell their homes. In 2003, private sales were prohibtted all together.3 Without the ability to sell and buy homes, Cubans were deprived fundamental rights of ownership and economic freedom. Illegal sales/exchanges happened often, at great risk to those involved in the exchange. In 2011, the residental real estate market was legalized. However, without precedents, the current real estate market has found difficulty in sustaining itself. With no credit history, Cubans are forced to pay in full, relying on relatives or earnings from selling.3 The decisions of the socialist regime have certainly left their mark.

LAND-USE MEAN PERCENTAGES

1960

â&#x20AC;˘ Urban Reform Law â&#x20AC;˘ "Right of First Refusal"

1980

Sales were only permitted with State authorization

2003

All private sales prohibited

2008

Government begin to discuss legalizing the Residential Real Eastae Market

2011

Legalization of Residental Real Estae Market

2013

Real estate brokers considered selfemployed by the government

PRIVATE RESIDENCY IN SOCIALIST CUBA3

PLAZAS PARKS MONUMENTS RELIGIOUS

HABANA VIEJA - PUBLIC SPACES 4

PARKS MONUMENTS RELIGIOUS

POLITICS OF PUBLIC SPACE

PLAZAS

In a Socialist country, it becomes very simple and easy to identify most of the urban fabric as "public." All civic buildings (including government and religious buildings), monuments (including museums), parks and plazas are owned and maintained by the state. Further more, commercial programs are either privately or more likely, state-owned.

The Capitol in Habana Vieja (Fig. 1) 5

PUBLIC SPACES MAPPED ACROSS THREE MUNICIPALITIES 4

Thus, simply defining and evaluating public spaces in Havana by ownership is not enough. To understand the politics of public space, we must understand how these spaces are used by the people and more importantly, what they mean to the people of Havana. 61

POLITICS OF PUBLC SPACE

SYMBOLISM

There are 5 main plazas in Habana Vieja: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Cathedral, and Plaza del Cristo.6 The pillars of these plazas' foundation and initial layout were Spanish town planning guidelines (The Law of the Indies)6. In short, the city was meant, by the Spaniards, to expand and grow out in a grid organization from the plaza. For the people of Havana, these plazas symbolize oppression under Spanish rule7. Furthermore, in the first half of the 1900's, these plazas coincided with the class struggle during Cuba's Capitalist regime. While the top tier of Havana reaped the fortunes of Cuba's booming economy and thriving trade with the United States, most of the population became disenfranchised and struggled to provide for themselves and their families. Such that, these plazas maintain a critical, yet negative, role in Havana's collective memory and Cuba's history.

CONSUMPTION

Today, the plazas and most public spaces in Habana Vieja are protected by preservation and/or the economy. This makes it an ideal site for tourist consumption. As Habana Vieja is established as such, it is kept separate from the rest of Havana. In both Capitalist and Socialist Cuba, Habana Vieja has been an image of what Havana is not. It is an image of what the government believes it should be and what the world thinks it is. It is one that the people neither can nor wants to be related to . 62

Plaza de Armas 8

Plaza de Cathedral10

Plaza de San Francisco 9

Plaza del Cristo 11

Plaza de La Revoluciรณn (Fig. 2)13

Plaza Vieja 12

Jose Marti Platform (Fig. 3) 14

EXPRESSION

During the Revolution, the entire city became a canvas for political propaganda. Many of these murals are still seen across the city today. At the heart of the municipality, Plaza de La Revoluciรณn, is the plaza under the same name. This plaza is the site of the Cuban Revolution. Countless rallies and political demonstrations were held here at the cusp of the Revolution. Today, the impact of its significance is still felt, as portraits of Che Guevara and Camilio Cienfuegos watch over the plaza (Fig. 2). Similarily, Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Platform is located in Plaza de La Dignidad, of the Vedado neighborhood in the same municipality. Opened in 2000, it is used as a public events venue and located directly across from the U.S. Embassy building. In 2006, the "Wall of Flags" (Fig. 3) was constructed; directly obstructing view of an electronic messgae board in front of the Embassy building. Both Cubans and the U.S. Embassy used this area as a platform for local and foreign political agendas .

As demonstrated by the residential real estate market, the policies and laws established by the government have immediate and overreaching effects on the public. Past decisions made by the state, have not only deprived the citizens fundamental rights as property owners; it has created a system in which it is difficult for the normal populus to gain economic freedom and establish stability. In regards to public space, politics and economic drivers have driven locals out of the historic center. More importantly, the people of Havana have been disassoicated with their global cultural publicity. However, it seems that this disassociation has also been part of the people's own recognition that Habana Vieja is not theirs to claim anymore. Nor was it ever. Nor do they necessarily want to. In closing and most importantly, for the people of Havana, public spaces, especially plazas, have been urban venues for political expression. In times which the polarization of the government and its people seem to only grow, these public spaces have become outlets for the community's voice to be heard.

QUESTIONS RAISED • • • •

How do use and meaning of public space, by and to the people, affect the collective memory of the city and its historical and social constructs? What role do politics play in the marginalization of a city's population? Is it/should it be a government's responsibility to prevent disinfranchisement of its people? How can designers and design intervene without any power or influence in the political realm?

POLITICS OF POLITIC SPACE

IMPLICATIONS ON CUBAN IDENTITY

SOURCES

1. Galmiche, Xavier . Havana: Districts of Lights, 1994. 2. Scarpaci, Joseph. Plazas and Barrios, 2005, p. 105. 3. Peters, Philip. Cuba's New Real Estate Market, 2014. PDF. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 4. Verification through Google Maps. 5. Motti, Ricardo. Flickr, 2007, https://www.flickr.com/photos/motti/513336252/in/ photostream/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 6. Lightfoot, Claudia. Havana, 2002, p. 6. 7. Curtis, James R. Havana's Parque Coppelia:Public Space Traditions in Socialist Cuba, 2002. PDF. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 8. Flickr, 2015, https://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/16993979888/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 9. www.conservators-converse.org, 2016, http://www.conservators-converse.org/2012/02/aicmember-research-trip-to-cuba-2011/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 10. On Cuba Magazine, 2015, http://oncubamagazine.com/wmag/wp-content/ uploads/2015/08/Plaza-de-la-catedral1.jpg. Accessed 11 Nov. 2016. 11. Skea, Jim. Flickr, 2008, https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsk/2322226274/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 12. Nottoli, Andrea. Flickr, 2010, https://www.flickr.com/photos/andreanottoli/5078739457/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 13. Motti, Ricardo Flickr, 2007, https://www.flickr.com/photos/motti/519801186. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016. 14. ACM83, Flickr, 2015, https://www.flickr.com/photos/acm83/20923470234/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016.

environment

Cuba has an environment which encompasses a wide variety of diverse natural habitats and is home to a large number of species. Being one of several Caribbean countries, global warming has a large impact on the island, especially the ecological areas located on the coast, such as Havana. Cuba has been increasingly affected by extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heat waves, prolonged periods of drought and heavy rains. These intense climate changes result in the reduction of biodiversity, decline the quality of life, altering landscapes and major social consequences. The environments effects on society has brought air pollution, water pollution, deforestation, soil degradation resulting in a negative urban infrastructure.

Natural Forces + Systems

Politics of Water

Waste Streams + Processes

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

WET AND DRY

It is important to understand the geological location of Cuba and how its position is influenced by the climate. It is the largest Caribbean island and is the most westerly of the Greater Antilles group, situated 90 miles south of Florida. More importantly, it is just south of the Tropic of Cancer, also referred to as the Northern Tropic. This is the most northerly circle of latitude on the Earth at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its culmination. What this means is that the climate along the Tropic of Cancer is mostly hot and dry with the exception of Easterly coastal areas (Cuba) where orographic rainfall can be merely excessive. These regions experience two specific seasons; an intensely hot summer and a warm winter. Cuba’s climate along this latitude is torrid monsoonal with a brief wet season from June to September and slight rainfall for the remainder of the year, where some years can be exceptionally worse. These natural forces not only damage the geography and landscape but also have long term effects on the infastructure of Cuba and it’s demographics. Because Cuba consists of two entirely different seasons, one has a devastating effect on the other, continuously aiding in neverending conflicts. From November to March, it only rains 35 days (Fig. 1), ultimately resulting in an elongated drought season. This dries out all the rivers and tributaries as well as the aqueducts used to replenish the water supply

for Cuba’s inhabitants. The drought also brings extinction to varieties of plants due to the lack of water retention. The wet season brings 70 days of rain from the months of May to October; twice the amont of rain in the dry season. It is important to understand the immediate transition from dry season

to wet season. Because the rivers and canals are dry from the drought, the heavy rains flood those areas and immidiately lose the water they just obtained. The contaminating soils, arid landscapes and loss of tree cover all aid in the lack of water retention from abundant annual rainfall.

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

NATURAL FORCES & SYSTEMS

D SEA RY SO N

8HR

9HR

AVG. ANNUAL

51.2 IN.

105 days

S A W SEA ET SO N

M J

Annual Rainfall. (Fig. 1)

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS 68

HURRICANE PATHS (1980-2015)

The interaction of warm air and the warm sea water at the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer spawns thunderstorms in the ocean. The rotation of the Earth at that lattitude is what turns the thunderstorms into hurricanes. The high pressure in Cuba flows from the center of its zone to the low pressure zones outside of its center, creating high winds; hence, aiding in the development of hurricanes as well.

Hurricane Paths. (Fig. 2)

N O S

0 .3 1.2

# ANNUAL HURRICANES (per month)

2.4

395

201

HURRICANES PER MONTH (1851-2015)

1.4

238 55

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

M A

4 33

Hurricane Recording (Fig. 3) This diagram shows the number of hurricanes and the months those disasters occured within a 165 year time period (outer ring). The annual number of hurricanes and the months they typically occur are also shown (inner ring). 69

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

Havana

CUBA

Septentrional Fault Zone

Santiago De Cuba

one Fault Z Oriente

GANAVE MICROPLATE

HAITI

DOM. REP.

JAMAICA

Substantial Earthquake Mapping. (Fig. 4)

EARTHQUAKES

Cuba is located in an unfortunate area in the Carribean where several active fault systems are nearby. Although the southern coast of the country is closer to these faults, Cuba is still affected by these seismic activities. The fault systems produce an average of 2,000 seismic events every year where some are more significant than others. Most of the registered events go by unnoticed; however, within the last 4 centuries, there has been a couple dozen 70

that have been entirely destructive to the southern coasts of Cuba and have been felt in northern parts as well. Several of those major earthquakes have reached 7.0 on the richter scale. Most of the seismic activity emanantes from the fluctuation of the Oriente Fault Zone where the plates continuously shift in small increments over a long period of time (Fig. 4). These shifts can be felt all over Cuba and result in the destruction and crumbling of old buildings that have already been previously affected by natural forces or are in disrepair (Fig. 5).

Old Havana, Cuba. March 15, 2014 Earthquake Aftermath. (Fig. 5)

One of the most critical problems with Cuba’s environment is its deforestation rates which continue to increase slightly every year. This causes a major problem that ultimately creates the unfolding of other climactic side-effects. Deforestation happens because the people of Cuba mainly need wood for building. Tree removal is also the result of natural disasters such as hurricanes, which was mentioned at the beggining of the chapter. Because trees are

65,210 SQ. MI.

1990 30.1

1995

- 1,695

29.6

29.1

28.6

continuously being removed from the Earth, this causes a large lack of water retention which results in an endless problem involving soil degregation and losses of life in it’s habitats. To put this in perspective, Cuba loses about 1,400 square miles of forest every 5 years. After 25 years, the amount of trees removed could easily cover the state of New Jersey in the United States (Fig. 6). Today, only 10 percent of Cuba is forested. With that in mind, it won’t take very long unitl all the existing trees that originally populated the country will be destroyed.

- 1,435

27.5 27.1 26.7

26.2 25.8

2000

2005

- 1,695

25.3 24.9

It is true that deforestation is a global issue; however, Cuba is a carribean island with a crumbling infastructure where the demand for natural resources such as water and wood is especially crucial. Despite Cuba’s deforestation rate as being a large conflict with its demands, there are many other factors that play a big role in its inability to support Cuba’s inhabitants. It’s a fact that the soil is contaminated and that in turn is a result of the removal of trees leading to the inability to retain water. However, there should be some strategy to develope ways to retain water.

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

DEFORESTATION

2010

- 1,174

- 1,108

2015

- 7,107

TOTAL NJ

24.4

23.9

FOREST AREA REMAINING [ % ]

23.2

22.7 22.3 22

21.6 21.3

20.9

20.6 20.2 19.9 19.5 19.2

Deforestation Rate. (Fig. 6)

REFORESTATION

Furthermore, it is important to note that Cuba makes efforts to reforest their country. In hopes of replacing what was once there due to their high demand for wood, they are struggling to restore 100 percent of the trees they removed. It is hard to keep up with reconstructing homes from the devestating aftermath of multiple reaccuring hurricanes every year. The demand for wood is

absolutely necessary but improvements need to be made to replenish the trees. During the same 25 year time span of deforesting trees, only about 56 percent of them are reforested, 1.9 percent of that in Havana, specifically (Fig. 7). The benefits of reforestation include more material for rebuiling, water retention, revitalization of natural habitats, more oxygen and overall, more healthy living conditions for the community of Cuba.

25 YEARS 56% of trees 3990/7107 removed are SQ. MI. reforested 1.9% in Havana Reforestation Percents. (Fig. 7)

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

CONCLUSION

It is obvious that Cuba is primarily comprised of a wet and dry season but it is more impoirtant to understand the implications that these extreme weather conditions bring. To conclude the chapter, it is necessary to realize the relationships between these natural forces and the never-ending conflicts that Cuba deals with. Hurricane season brings wind and rain where the wind results in natural destruction to both the built and unbuilt environment and the rain results in eroding land and the spreading contaminents of the carsick soil. The dry season brings periods of intense drought where the agriculture and wild-life suffer. Deforestation aids in the lack of water retention ultimately destroying ecosystems and making it difficult for the people of Cuba to obtain water for consumption (Fig. 8). Having said all of this, it is apparent that Cuba experiences problems continuously because of the natural forces it brings to the environment, making it difficult to live and thrive. Cuba is almost always in a difficult situation reguarding the weather and the disaterous implications it has on the environment and people.

natural destruction to environment

natural destruction to built environment

force that erodes land aids in the spread of contaminents

WET (HURRICANE SEASON) DRY

(DROUGHT SEASON)

destroyed eco-systems

periods of intense drought agriculture and wild-life suffers

Conclusion Diagram. (Fig. 8) 72

lack of water retention

• • •

Despite the inability to prevent hurricanes and earthquakes, how can design contribute to hinder the horrible aftermath of these disasters? Considering the lack of water retention, what can communities do to help retain that loss for the health of themselves and their neighbors? Can Cuba withstand these natural forces forever? If so, will they need the help of international aid?

NATURAL FORCES AND SYSTEMS

QUESTIONS RAISED

SOURCES

1. Climate Change Knowledge Portal 2.0.” Climate Change Knowledge Portal 2.0. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016 2. Gonzalez, Ivet. “Cuba Wakes up to Costs of Climate Change Effects.” Ipsnews.net. N.p., 17 June 2013. 3. World Weather & Climate Information.” Weather and Climate: Havana, Cuba, Average Monthly , Rainfall (millimeter), Sunshine, Temperatures (celsius), Sunshine, Humidity, Water Temperature. World Weather and Climate Information, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 4. Cuba.” Climate and Weather. WheatherCuba.com, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 5. Tropic of Cancer.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Sept. 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 6. Hunt, Nigel. “Cuba Hurricanes .org - Chronicle of Hurricanes in Cuba.” Cuba Hurricanes .org Chronicle of Hurricanes in Cuba. Nigel Hunt, 2008. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 7. Tropical Cyclone Climatology.” National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 8. Landsea, Chris. “How Many Hurricanes Have There Been in Each Month?” Aoml.noaa.gov. AOML, 1 June 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 9. List of Earthquakes in Cuba.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Aug. 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 10. Earthquakes in Jamaica - Earthquake Unit, The University of West Indies at Mona.” Earthquakes in Jamaica - Earthquake Unit, The University of West Indies at Mona. The University of the West Indies, 27 July 2007. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 11. Kenrick, Nick. “Old Havana Series.” Flickr. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016 12. Forest Area (% of Land Area).” Data. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.

POLITICS OF WATER

POLITICS OF WATER UNIVERSAL DILEMMA

GLOBAL POPULATION WATER STATISTICS

According to the World Water Institute, water scarcity is currently the most underappreciated global environmental challenge. The global population tripled in the 20th century and water consumption increased seven fold. Climate change, pollution, and water exploitation are the primary factors involved with water scarcity. Cuba is one of many nations experiencing water complications. For a more relatable analysis the nations of China, India, and the United States were chosen to compare with Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water analysis.

50%

75%

DISEASE DUE DISEASE VIATO CONT WA ATER TER CONTAMINA AMINATED TED W

HOSPITAL AL BEDS BEDS OCCUPIED OCCUPIED HOSPIT BY W WA ATERBORNE TERBORNE DISEASE DISEASE BY

DEHYDRATED EXPERIENCI NG POPULATION DEHYDRA TION

17%

11%

THE FLOWDOWN

Water consumption can be categorized in three overarching categories of use; Industrial, Agriculural, & Domestic. In Cuba 65% of water resources is consumed for agriculture, 24% is consumed for industry, and 11% is consumed for domestic purposes. With the global average for said categories currently standing at 70% consumption from agriculture, 22% consumption from industry, and 8% consumption from domestic 22% purposes, Cuba runs relatively close to those projections. 8%

80%

LACKS ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER

DENIED WATER VIA POLLUTION

LACKS ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER

DENIED WATER VIA POLLUTION

WORLD 70%

11%

7% CUBA

LACKS ACCESS TO

INDUSTRY

84%

15%

DOMESTIC

13%

24%

INDIA 65%

LACKS ACCESS TO PROPER SANITATION

WATER USAGE CLASSI ICATIONS PROPERFSANIT ATION

AGRICULTURE

24%

30%

CHINA

61%

USA

51%

36%

POLITICS OF WATER

CUBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CONTAMINATED DOMESTIC WATER

GLOBAL IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY

82%

50%

POPULATION RECEIVING IMPROVED WATER SOURCE

CHINA CUBA USA

95%

Cubans Dependent On Government Water

95%

COST OF WATER

AVERAGE CUBAN WATER ACCESSIBILITY

79% INDIA

96%

99%

In Cuba price gouging occurs with water in tourist areas. The Cuban resident pays a fraction of what a tourist would pay. In India the residents experience price gouging in times of severe water scarcity.

$1.50/ CUBIC M

AVERAGE OF 12 HRS WATER/DAY

$2.70/ CUBIC M (GOUGING) $0.20/ CUBIC M

$0.04/ CUBIC M $1.00/ CUBIC M (TOURIST)

CHINA

$0.40/ CUBIC M

INDIA CUBA USA

RESIDENT

4.79 CUBIC m 150 CUBIC m

TOURIST

CUBA

9.23 CUBIC m 300 CUBIC m

CUBA USA

5.86 CUBIC m 200 CUBIC m

USA: 0.0017%

28.1 CUBIC m 300 CUBIC m

CUBA: 55%

INDIA: 32% CHINA: 80%

DROUGHT

WATER MANAGEMENT

CHINA INDIA

CUBA USA

Number of Organizations Directly Related to Water Management

GLOBAL FRESHWATER RESOURCES

CHINA INDIA

CUBA USA

CUBA’S WATER

USA

CHINA INDIA

TOTAL ACTUAL RENEWABLE WATER RESOURCES

CHINA

INDIA

LOSS VIA DISTRIBUTION

WATER & TOURISM

Percent of Global Freshwater Resources based on location

>1% 4%

The World Bank defines water stress as the inability to meet the human and ecological demand for water. Water scarcity is the lack of abundance of a water supply, usually a ratio of human water consumption compared to the availablity of a specific location’s water supply. One of the main contributors to a region experiencing water issue is drought. Drought is recognized as a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, resulting in a shortage of water. It increases competition for water in both economic sectors, specifically tourism, & agriculture. This poses a threat to Cuba specifically, as it is an island nation. Cuba’s elongated and slender shape increase the occurrence of drought invariability and climate change. Cuba’s island status, orography, & length generate dry spells, a category of drought. Dry spells, an SPI drought periods of 3 months, have a direct impact on tourism operations. Dry spells have no definite pattern and generate rainfall anomaly across Cuba. Tourism’s seasonability & deficiencies in water storage infrastructure or desalinization plants point to dry spells causing major water conflicts for its success. In Havana and

ACTUAL

1.498 BILLION

HAVANA

300 MILLION

38.1 BILLION

POLITICS OF WATER

RESOURCES

24 BILLION

POTENTIAL HAVANA CITY

MEASURED IN CUBIC M/YR

GLOBAL WATER

USA

1.89 TRILLION

38.1 BILLION

INDIA

2.82 TRILLION

3.05 TRILLION

CUBA CHINA

MEASURED IN CUBIC M/YR

POLITICS OF WATER

similar urban environments, drought points towards increased water regulations, more strict policy enforcement, and designated allowances of water. With regards to agriculture drought is exacerbating already fragile food supplies. As a result rice production in Cuba only reach 60% of the amont required to satisfy national consumption in 2015.

IT’S NOT WORKING Cuba’s hydrological infrastructure is not the only nation that is deficient. Jim Olson sums up the dangers of outsourcing water remediation as a possible solution. He states, “privatization of water is simply incompatible with the nature of water as a commons & therefore with the nature of fundamental human rights.” Logically, it is to the distinct advantage of the private water industry that the world’s freshwater resources are being destroyed and contaminated. For profit companies cannot practice water conservation & source preservation, as there is no profit in conservation. Another deficient water remediation tactic is desalinization, which is very expensive & highly energy intensive. Desalinization increases production of greenhouse gases and also creates a lethal by product from salt extraction process. For every 1 litre of desalinated water, 1 litre of contaminated by product is projected back into the ocean. This process also does not filter out all contaminates. Biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, and chemical pollutants, such as shellfish poison, algal toxins, and pharmaceuticals, are not filtered by this process.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The solution to water remediation is not something that can be accomplished instantaneously. A phased timeline is the most effective way to remediate water issues and it begins with the environment. The 1st step in the restoration and protection of water is to reintroduce water into parched landscapes. The goal would be for the dehydrated land to retain as much rainwater as possible. Returning water to the subsurface level aids in the renewal of a damaged hydrological cycle. For this initial phase to be successful, the world cannot continue to mine groundwater supples at a rate greater than natural recharge. Subsequently, the global population must stop polluting surface and groundwater sources. The very existence of water depends on the adaptable management & conservation of ecosystems. Destroying water retentive landscape means less precipitation remains in river basins & continental watersheds, which in turn associates less water in hydrological cycle. Considering water is a thermal regulator that moderates weather extremes, the exploitation of groundwater, resulting in less water in the hydrological cycle, is directly linked to increases in drought. Since the natural world is the key to maintaining global water resources, the elimination of plant life directly instigates the issue. The destruction of vegetation, combined with our channeling of rainwater from continents into oceans is a great cause of global warming, rising seas, and reductions in freshwater supplies. The implementation of the urban environment creates the same affect as destroying sources of vegetation. The urban membrane does not allow precipitation to soak in, absorb heat, evaporate, and thus cool the environment.

This results in a loss of the city’s capacity to sweat due to massive paving over natural environments. It all comes back around to the issue an increase in the amount of world’s water displaced from hydrological cycle.

• •

POLITICS OF WATER

QUESTIONS RAISED

Is there a way to combine water retention programs with other infrastructure(s) to make Old Havana more adaptable? What are ways in which the urban membrane can physically act as a catalyst for water retention?

SOURCES

1. “Annual Freshwater Withdrawals, Total (billion Cubic Meters).” Data. N.p.,n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2016. 2. “AQUASTAT - FAO’s Information System on Water and Agriculture.” AQUASTAT - FAO’s Information System on Water and Agriculture. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016. 3. Barlow, Maude. Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water. New York: New, 2008. Print. 4. “Biological Water Quality Parameters - Orange-Senqu River ...” N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. 5. “Coping with Water Crisis in Cuba.” IDRC. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. 6. “Facts and Figures.” 2013. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. 7. “FOREST AREA (% OF LAND AREA) IN CUBA.” FOREST AREA (% OF LAND AREA) IN CUBA. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2016. 8. “Havana.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 2 Sept. 2016. 9. “North America/.” Cuba Land Statistics. N.p., 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2016. 10. “Population, Number of Households, Number of Living ...” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2016. 11. “[Quality of Drinking Water and Diarrheal Diseases in Cuba, 1996-1997].” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. 12. “Table 4.3: Water Availability Information - Figures and Tables.”Water Availability Information by Country (AQUASTAT, FAO 2005) Figures and Tables. .p.,n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2016. 13. “USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service January 1998.” N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2016. 14. “Vital Water Graphics.” Freshwater Resources: Volume by Continent -. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2016. 15. “Water, Development, and Environment in Cuba; A First Look ...” N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2016. 16. “Water Loss Control – Efficiency in the Water Utility Sector.” Water Loss Control Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. 17. “WATER YIELD AND RESERVOIR STORAGE IN THE UNITED STATES USGS.” N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.

CIEGO DE AVILA

CAMAGUEY

ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

HOLGUIN

CIENFUEGOS

GUANTANAMO

SANCTI SPIRITUS

LAS TUNAS

PRIMARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

WATER

The water supply in Cuba comes from two major sources, ground water and surface water, both managed by the “Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidraulicos”. Surface water currently provides around 65% and has the potential to provide over 80%. Where as ground water provides about 35% where in, some regions this is predominant source of potable water. None the less only 62% of Cubans have access to reasonably treated water, due to the lack of maintenance and inefficiencies in the water distribution system. It has been calculated that of the water pumped into the distribution system more the 50% is lost due to deteriorating pipes.

SEWAGE

Sewage and wastewater systems have similar issues to that of the water system, where it’s efficient life has now surpassed its life expectancy of 50 years. Furthermore, the wastewater system is a lot smaller yet lacks integration of collection with treatment. This has caused an influx of untreated wastewater flowing directly into numerous water ways and streams. In 2007 it was estimated that only about 5% of all wastewater was treated and only 17.5% of the system was considered “efficient”.

GRANMA SANTIAGO DE CUBA

WATER TREATMENT PLANTS MATANZAS

HAVANA

100 MILES

VILLA CLARA CIEGO DE AVILA

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES PINAR DEL RIO

CAMAGUEY

PINAR DEL RIO

ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

HOLGUIN

CIENFUEGOS

GUANTANAMO

SANCTI SPIRITUS

WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

LAS TUNAS

SMALL WTP

MEDIUM WTP

GRANMA

LARGE WTP

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

HAVANA

MATANZAS

WASTE-WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

PINAR DEL RIO

LANDFILLS

MEDIUM WTP

CAMAGUEY

VILLA CLARA

ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD SMALL WTP

CIEGO DE AVILA

MATANZAS

HAVANA

ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

CIENFUEGOS

LARGE WTP

100 MILES

VILLA CLARA

SANCTI SPIRITUS

HOLGUIN

CIEGO DE AVILA

GUANTANAMO

CAMAGUEY

LAS TUNAS

HOLGUIN

GUANTANAMO

GRANMA LAS TUNAS

PRIMARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

100 MILES

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

GRANMA SANTIAGO DE CUBA

81 HAVANA

MATANZAS VILLA CLARA

100 MILES

In some locations the trash collection gets so bad that the waste management crews have to go around and collect trash with bulldozers and dump trucks. Another issue being that residents are not required to separate their trash in their houses, it is supposed to be sorted as it goes through the waste stream. This creates a more difficult separation process which in most cases dose not occur.

2009

52%

D LE Y EC R %

90% COLLECTED ONLY 987 LA NDFILLS

2012

N BA R U

AL 54%

UR H 6.3AVANAR MIL . M3

100 %

D LE Y C RE

91% COLLECTED ONLY 925 LA NDFILLS

2015

WASTE COLLECTED

88% COLLECTED ONLY 1026 LA NDFILLS

URA

HAVA R NA 8M IL. M 3

100 %

TA L

12%

N BA R U

%OF WASTE SERVICE COLECTION

WASTE COLLECTED

00 85,5 8 , 23

HAV 7.9MANA IL. M3

51%

D LE Y C RE

M3 TO TA L

RAL RU

100 %

%OF WASTE SERVICE COLECTION

WASTE COLLECTED

N BA R U

M3 TO TA L

WASTE COLLECTED

%OF WASTE SERVICE COLECTION

M3 TO

Solid waste in Cuba is a major Problem especially in urban area such as Havana. It is common in many of these area for waste to be piling up in the streets due to either a lack of waste pick-ups or dumpsters/garbage cans that fall apart, lost their wheels and/or lids.

00 85,5 8 , 23

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

Waste once collected from streets or dumpsters does not just disappear. Most of the waste untreated or sorted goes directly to landfills. In Havana specifically the majority of trash goes to 1 of 4 major landfills. At this stage however the problem continues to grow. At Calle 100 landfill one of the six bulldozers works and neither of the trash compactors work. Situations like this are also occurring at other landfills. Since these landfills are untreated and have no system of organizing or cataloging what comes in, the trash seems to pile at an unhealthy rate. Once trash reaches these landfills problem such and water pollution and contamination of numerous animals habitats causes these animals to get sick and in many cases die. At the current rate of accumulation in is predicted that these landfills will meet there maximum capacity within the next 10 years especially with the projected tourism.

CALLE 100 LANDFILL

00 85,5 8 , 23

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES

WHERE IT GOES

HOTEL AND RESTAURANT

MARKET

OTHERS

19 TONS

60 TONS

100 TONS

1,517 TONS

UNCOLLECTED WASTE MATERIAL RECOVERY 30 BY ERMP TONS

INDUSTRIAL WASTE

10 MATERIAL RECOVERY BY DPS/UPPH TONS

50 TONS

BARRERAS LANDFILL SITE (MUNICIPAL LANDFILL)

BULKY WASTE AND OTHERS

520 TONS

2,200 TONS

16 TONS

COMPOST

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES

DOMESTIC WASTE

350 TONS

MEDICAL WASTE

22 TONS

3 TONS

1,667 TONS

CALLE 100 LANDFILL SITE (PROVINTIAL LANDFILL)

190 TONS

NUMEROUS SMALL LANDFILL SITE (PROVINTIAL LANDFILL)

600 TONS

OCHO VIAS LANDFILL SITE (PROVINTIAL LANDFILL)

22 TONS

INCINERATOR/ SELF DISPOSAL/ DIRECT LANDFILL

COMPOST

3 TONS

RECYCLED

VILA

FERROUS METALS C STI PLA

CAMAGUEY

STEEL

GLASS

NONFERROUS METALS NONMETALICS

HOLGUIN

PAPER/CARDBOARD

NON-METALICS OTHER

GUANTANAMO

STAINLESS STEEL

IRON

OTHER CLO TH

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES

further more the process becomes more difficult. However this dose not account for all the recycled goods. In many cases Cuba all though most trash is not recycled 0 TONS all ages that collect and 1,667 TONS 190 TONS there are people 600ofTONS 22 TONS or treated there is still is. SMALLreuse differentOCHO BARRERAS CALLE 100 a small about that NUMEROUS VIASfrom the trash. This INCINERATOR/ objects 10% ANDFILL SITE Equating to about LANDFILL SITEof trash raw materials LANDFILL SITE SELF DISPOSAL/ can be seen asLANDFILL a goodSITE thing because they CIPAL LANDFILL)that (PROVI NTIAL LANDFILL) (PROVINTIAL LANDFILL) (PROVINTIAL LANDFILL) DIRECT LANDFILL SANTIAGO DE CUBA are extracted are reused in production. are removing trash that is causing problems These raw materials add up to 368,385 metric at the landfills. On the other hand it can tons of trash annually, and prevented from also seen as negative impact because many going to landfills. The recycled materials are of the residence and getting sick form then broken down into three main categories contaminants associated with these objects. ferrous metals equating to 80%, non-ferrous 100 MILES In 2014 residences recycled and reused an metals at 9%, and nonmetallicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 11%. estimated 76,050 glass containers. Breaking down these three groups

Pb Al

SANTIAGO DE CUBA FERROUS METALS 84

Cu BRZ

NON-FERROUS METALS

• • • • • •

Is there a better way to dispose of the waste? More efficient? Eco-friendly? How do we prevent further contamination of Cuba from the existing waste problems? Is there any quick and efficient solution to fixing the water and sewage problem? If not fixed how long will it take for Cuba to be completely unsuitable for living? How does waste management relate to the crumbling infrastructure of buildings? With an influx of tourism how is the water, waste, and sewage problems going to change?

WASTE STREAMS + PROCESSES

QUESTIONS RAISED

SOURCES

1. Álvarez, Julio Cesar. “El Basurero De La Habana: Vertedero De Las Miserias.” Cubanet. Noticias De Cuba, 23 May 2013. Web. 6 Sept. 2016. 2. Calzadilla, Erasmo. “A Visit to the 100th Street Dump.” Havanatimes.org. HAVANA TIMES, 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 7 Sept. 2016. 3. Cepero, Eudel Eduardo. “ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS FOR A CUBA IN TRANSITION.” Cuba Transition Project (2004): n. pag. Web. 7 Sept. 2016. 4. Cueto, Josenrique, and Omar De Leon. “EVALUATION OF CUBA’S WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING HIGH-PRIORITY IMPROVEMENTS AND ORDER-OF-MAGNITUDE COSTS.” (2010): n. pag. Web. 5. Giaimo, Cara. “For Many Islands, Tourism Means Too Much Trash. Is Cuba Next?” Atlas Obscura. N.p., 30 July 2015. Web. 31 Aug. 2016. 6. Jimenez, Oscar. “Cuban Waste to Energy - Waste Management World.” WASTE- MANAGEMENT-WORLD. CUBAENERGIA, 16 June 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

POLITTICS OF PUBLIC SPACE

in d u str y

Exploring Havana through the lens of Technology, Economy, Resources, Infrastructure and Industry. Technology + Economic Developments is about the level of technology in Cuba, the setup of the economy, and touches upon the tourism sector. Even with Havana’s deindustrialization, the once early great trade center of the world still remains the central location of the nation’s industry. Transportation moves people through the city, in Havana tourists and locals have separate and unequal facilities. The “Lineamientos” are a continuously developing plan with the intention of restructuring the Cuban economy in order to improve the quality of life for both locals and visitors alike.

Industrial Production

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lineamientosâ&#x20AC;?

Technology + Economic Development

100

Resources + Industrial Ecology

108

Transportation Infrastructures

114

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The city of Havana has been a post-industrial economy for years. This is due to the declining importance in the manufacturing sector (secondary sector) and the increasing importance in the service sector (tertiary sector). Other economic sectors include agriculture, fishing, mining, etc. (primary sector) and information technology, education, financial planning, etc. (quaternary sector). Even with Havana’s deindustrialization, the once early great trade center of the world still remains the central location of the nation’s industry. Cuban industry can be broken down into five main periods that correlate directly to the economic history of the area.

PRECOLONIAL

Primarily an agriculturally based economy, this period was mainly limited to stock raising and farming as a means of food production. There were also early signs of gold panning in this era.

PRECOLONIAL (before 1492)

SPANISH COLONIAL (1492-1902)

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Land Cultivation (Pre-Soviet Collapse)

SPANISH COLONIAL

The spanish colonial period (when Cuba became a spanish colony ruled by a Spanish governor) was an important industrialization period as cattle hides for leather became the most important export of Cuba to Europe. As the turn of the century approached, sugarcane and tobacco cultivation became the two most important exports.

CUBAN REPUBLIC

As Cuba gained independence from Spain, sugar and tobacco products were primarily exported to the United States as a result of The Bethlehem Steel Corporation. This

CUBAN REPUBLIC (1902-1958)

was a U.S. monopoly that took control over almost all of the national valuable resources. Not only did the United States own the entire financial system and the majority of the nation’s industry, but they owned twenty-five percent of Cuba’s best land. Large landowners and livestock breeders owned more than eighty percent of Cuba’s farmland, which only left five percent of Cuban land to be developed. Living conditions were extremely tough around the 1950s especially for the rural areas. Only ten percent of housing had electricity and fifteen percent had running water. While agriculture provided jobs for sixty percent of the population, the rest were either unemployed or underemployed.

PRE-SOVIET COLLAPSE (1958-1998)

POST-SOVIET COLLAPSE (1998-present)

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

PRE-SOVIET BLOC COLLAPSE

Fidel Castro seized assets of nine-billion dollars leading to the Cuban Revolution in 1959. A current amount would be equal to almost two-trillion dollars at the twelve percent growth rate that the average United States economy experiences. Cuba’s industrial revolution mainly revolved around the production and development of housing, roads, airports, schools, and hospitals.

Previous to the collapse, the Soviets provided Cuba with sixty-three percent of its food imports and ninety percent of its petrol. In 1994, the decline in gross domestic product came to a pause when there was a one percent growth in population. After Cuba reported an increase of around ten percent in 1994, it slowed again in 1998 because Fidel Castro failed to notice that sugar production was uneconomic due to the high price of oil and low value of sugar. Maintaining sugar production was impossible as a result of the collapse. It still remains a question why Castro didn’t

Industry production accounted for about forty percent of Cuban gross domestic product (seven-billion U.S dollars) as well as employing twenty-four percent of the working population.

GPD PER CAPITA IN U.S. DOLLARS

Cuba Haiti

5.0

rationalize the industry. Fortunately for the economy there was an increase of tourism in 1999 that caused gross domestic product to increase six percent. From 2004 to 2015 the cumulative growth in gross domestic product was just over forty percent; a key reason being Raul Castro’s new economic reforms being introduced. This was known as “The New Cuban Economy.”

Dominican Republic

4.5 4.0 3.5

POST-SOVIET BLOC COLLAPSE

Cuba has yet to recover from a gross domestic product decline of thirty-five percent from the first three years after the bloc collapse (1990-1993). This was due to the country losing eighty percent of its trading partners.

3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5

1945

PRECOLONIAL (before 1492)

SPANISH COLONIAL (1492-1902)

1950

1955

1960

CUBAN REPUBLIC (1902-1958)

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

PRE-SOVIET COLLAPSE (1958-1998)

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

POST-SOVIET COLLAPSE (1998-present)

Being the 140th largest exporter in the world, Cuba exported $1.74 billion in 2014. The most recent exports are led by raw sugar, which represent twenty-two percent of the total exports of Cuba.

Trade in USD

7B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B 1B

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Cuban Sugar Production Decline (1985-2012)

9000

Cuba was the most dominant sugar exporter in the world until the 1960s. Before the crash, the United States received thirty-three percent of its sugarcane imports from Cuba. During the cold war, Cuba’s sugar exports were bought with subsidies from the Soviet Union. As a result of the trade agreement collapsing, there was an intense decrease in sugar prices. One hundred thousand workers in the sugar industry lost their jobs and two thirds of sugar mills in Cuba closed.

8000 7000

Thousands of Tonnes

6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2011

Being the 126th largest importer in the world, Cuba imported $5.91 billion in 2014. The most recent imports are led by wheat, which represent four percent of Cuba’s total imports. In 2014, Cuba exported $1.74 billion and imported $5.91 billion, resulting in a negative trade balance of $4.17 billion.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

CUBA TRADE BALANCE (1995-2011)

Imports Exports

2010

Even though the once dominant sugar industry is almost inactive and several plants have been closed down or are operating at very low capacities, the sugar industry still forms an important part of Cuba’s exports.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

SUGAR (1977)

Principal sugar mill Sugar shipping port Area of sugarcane cultivation

TOBACCO (1977)

Area of tobacco cultivation

OTHER AGRICULTURAL REGIONS (1977)

Rice

Henequen

• What will happen in the future for Cuba’s production sector as the nation de-industrializes? • How can relationships be established between past trade balance data and historical GPD information to determine Cuba’s future economic status?

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

QUESTIONS RAISED

SOURCES

1. “People’s World.” Solving the Problem of Cuban Agriculture » Peoplesworld. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 2. Ritter, By Arch. “Can Cuba Recover from Its De-Industrialization? I. Characteristics and Causes.” The Cuban Economy La Economia Cubana. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 3. “Cuba.” OEC. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. Marshall, Richard. Waterfronts in Post Industrial Cities. London: Spon, 2001. Print.

THE LINEAMIENTOS

a growth path towards the economic restructuring of Cuba

PRIMARY FOCUSES

agriculture and production

THE LINEAMIENTOS

The “LINEAMIENTOS”

WHY ARE THEY NEEDED? when the embargo took place, the Cuban economy declined significantly Cuba relied almost entirely on Soviet aid Soviet Union collapsed, resulting in a loss worth nearly 3 billion dollars tourism began with the use of dual currencies

medical diplomacy

tourists became prioritized, aiding in the gradual deterioration of life in Cuba the “Special Period” began in an attempt to recover the crumbling economy

tourism and urbanism Plaza Vieja, La Habana. Photo by Brian Snelson (Fickr.com)

THE LINEAMIENTOS

AGRICULTURE most successful products

ethanol plan

PROS

proposed by the U.S.

sugar cane

tobacco

tropical fruits

supported by the considerable success in Brazil coffee is one of the most successful alternative fuels

past and current conditions

successful sugar, tobacco, and tropical fruit exports have become relatively constant imports are strongly depended on current farming technology and equipment has become obsolete weather has caused a significant amount of damage and production deficiencies organic agriculture has developed and has been supplying Cuban businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and markets

goals to improve production modify production for a more efficient process

increase and diversify production while decreasing the demand for imports develop a training program to provide education in relating businesses 96

can be used as a cleaner way to fuel vehicles is produced from sugar cane residual sugar cane can be used to produce heat and power CONS

rejected by Castro almost immediately possible negative affects on the Cuban population could harm developing countries in the south could increase food prices, global warming, and exploitation of workers alternate energy regime focusing on conservation preferred

four key supports political will to focus on health as a basic human right and responsibility of the state

established as a way for the Cubanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to repay the countries that have helped them

THE LINEAMIENTOS

MEDICAL DIPLOMACY first team sent in 1960 to provide disaster relief aid after an earthquake in Chile

in 1963, 56 doctors were sent to help in Algeria on a 14 month assignment

the achievement of developed country health indicators are a national priority

largest medical diplomacy program is with Venezuela in exchange for oil

program not only improves the health of other countries, but also relations with their governments

the establishment of a free, universal health care system thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widely respected in international health circles

overproduction of medical personnel specifically for exportation

free education and training offered to students from other developing countries

negative effects

poses as a threat to participating countries because it changes the general expectation for doctors (Cuban doctors are much more cost effective and work on a more personal level)

THE LINEAMIENTOS ECONOMY

TOURISM and URBANISM TOURISM and URBANISM havana

varadero

N 0’

50’

100’

200’

tourism inin Cuba has been one of of thethe major contributors to its restoration tourism Cuba has been one major contributors to economical its economical restoration a majority of Cuba’s funds have been spent developing tourist areas and attractions a majority of Cuba’s funds have been spent developing tourist areas and attractions Havana and Veradara are some of the primary areas where this has occurred Havana and Veradara are some of the primary areas where this has occurred many structures have deteriorated, including several Cuban homes many structures have deteriorated, including several Cuban homes

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Havana, Cuba. Photos by Scott Beyer.

possible solutions

thethe ACS (Association of Caribbean States) hashas been working on aon plan to continue ACS (Association of Caribbean States) been working a plan to continue developing tourism, but with sustainability and the environment in mind developing tourism, but with sustainability and the environment in mind

reduce reduce costs costs

at what levellevel should CubaCuba emphasize at what should emphasize tourism in order to properly repair theirtheir tourism in order to properly repair economy? economy? should more attention be spent on the should more attention be spent on the welfare of the locals? welfare of the locals?

repai r r repai homes homes

continue continue development development

whatwhat changes could be made to the changes could be made toexisting the restoration plans in order to make them existing restoration plans in order to make more successful? them more successful?

5 working groups hastening Cuban transition meeting basic human needs in health, education, housing, and human services establishing democratic institutions, respect for human rights, rule of law, and national justice and reconciliation

based on the assumptions that:

once Fidel Castro steps down, the totalitarian regime can finally be uprooted Cuban society has been rendered helpless during this repression and propaganda the Cuban economy has been inhibited by a centrally planned system, prohibiting private enterprise which has caused a widespread low standard of living

establishing the core institutions of a free economy

basic government services aren’t able to be provided by Cuba’s state institutions

modern infrastructure and addressing environmental degradation

The United States has the military, political, economic, and ideological power to bring about radical regime change

reasons for its rejection

QUESTIONS RAISED

called for a drastic change in Cuban lifestyle and policies

• how gradually or quickly does Cuba need to implement these changes in order to transition as smoothly as possible? • are the Lineamientos well thought out and up to date with Cuba’s current issues? • do the Lineamientos take into conisderation the voices of the locals as well as work towards their best interest?

would result in a very difficult transition

SOURCES

based on extensive assumptions

at the time of the proposal, Cuba was on bad terms with the U.S. could very well cause more problems than it solves

THE LINEAMIENTOS

U.S. TRANSITION PLAN

1. Aquique, Dariela. “Santiago de Cuba, Decadent Urbanism.” Havana Times. Nov. 18, 2010. Accessed Sept. 9, 2016. 2. Beyer, Scott. “Havana, Cuba - Stagnation Doesn’t Preserve Cities, Nor Does Wealth Destroy Them.” Market Urbanism. June 20, 2015. Accessed Sept. 9, 2016. 3. Feinberg, Richard E. “The Cuban Economy - Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Brookings. Nov. 6, 2014. Accessed Sept. 25, 2016. 4. Font, Mauricio A. A Changing Cuba in a Changing World. Bildner Publication. 2008. 5. Morris, Emily. “Unexpected Cuba.” The Cuban Economy. Published by Arch Ritter. January 9, 2015. Accessed September 25, 2016. 99

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

100

ECONOMY

In 1990, the Soviet Union colapsed and so did the Cuban economy. But 15 years later the alliance between Venezuela and Cuba was tested. And in the end Venezuela saved Cuba. The trade between these two countries involves oil and doctors and nurses. This trading was very beneficial because the sugar industry decreased from 8 million tons in 1989 to 1.6 million tons from 200320097 (See Fig. 1). The economy is suffering because Cuba has a dual economy, with 2 distinct systems operating side by side, The socialist peso economy and the free-market dollarized economy that sustains the socialist economy. (471 pesos equals $20)7 Because of the duel economy, it causes salaries to be low ($10 - $20 a month), but the people are supplemented with free education, subsidized medical care, housing, and some subsidized food.7 To try and boost the economy the Cuba government wants to start making more of their own supplies.10 The chart below shows the increase in supplies from 1990 to 2002 (See Fig. 2). Even though Cuba is economically unstable, it has a 100% literacy (the ability to read) rate1 (See Fig. 3). And the Human Development of Cuba is ranked 67th in the world.6 The Cuban government has a plan to improve the economy. That plan is to increase tourism because that will bring in lots of money and to increase technology so people can be more connected to the outside world. Also to increase ties with other countries. One country besides for Venezuela that has been a major contributor in the Cuban economy is Canada. Canada has been trading with Cuba

since the 18th century.2 Cuba was the first country in the Caribbean selected by Canada to locate a diplomatic mission and official diplomatic relations were established in 1945. Canada was 1 of 2 countries in the nothern hemisphere not to break relations with Cuba during the revolution of 1959.2 “Canada supports the process of economic modernization being undertaken by the Cuban government, with greater opportunities for the development of non-state economic activity and private initiatives. Building on the successful cooperation experience in areas of economic policy development and institutional strengthening.”2 Canada will seek to support the Cuban government’s intention to implement a process of economic modernization. At the same time Canada supports a future for Cuba that fully embraces the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada has consistently recognized Cuba’s strong commitment to economic and social rights, with its particularly important achievements in the areas of education and health. At the same time, Canada has stressed the importance of basic civil and political rights, such as freedom of speech, association and the press.2 Canada’s international development program in Cuba is aligned with several of the priorities of the Government of Cuba, in particular increasing agricultural productivity and improving the efficient and accountable delivery of public services. For this reason, Canada’s program in Cuba focuses on helping the country increase sustainable economic growth and food security.4 Cuba has many countries supporting them in their goal to improve the economy.

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TECHNOLOGY+ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

101 101

Sugar Production 9 8

Million Tons

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Literacy Rates

0 2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ECONOMY

Singapore Italy

Years Countries by HDI Ranking

Sugar Production Chart (Fig. 1)

Kuwait Montenegro Cuba Mexico Libya Iraq Bangladesh Sudan Afghanistan Burkina Faso Niger

Supply Growth

80%

Literacy Rates (Fig. 3)

70%

Percentages

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2004

2002

102

2000

Supply Growth (Fig. 2)

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

Years

20%

40%

60%

Percentage

80%

100%

120%

Central Havana

Old Havana

Vedado Cerro

Miramar

Rio Luyano

Ordinary Cubans lack daily and continuos accessibility to the internet. There are apps like Conoce Cuba that can be used while offline. The Conoce Cuba app allows people to find restaurants or hotels, or locations of places while offline.11 There is also a product called El Paquete Semanal, it is a weekly flashdrive of digital content with everything from news to movies and tv shows. But it does not include anything that is anti-revolutionary, subversive, obscene, or pornographic.11 It only cost $1 - $3 per week and it can be delivered to a persons house or picked up from a cellphone repair shop. This product is illegal but this is a major underground system that is producing a lot of money. But with this said, there are 54 wifi hotspots throughout Cuba and there are 37 hotspots throughout Havana13 (See Fig. 4). Then in Figure 5 it shows the locations of where hotspots are located throughout Cuba but these hotspots are provided by a government service called Nauta.5 Almost all of the hotspots need to be payed for using a ETECSA card. ETECSA is the primary telecommunitcations company in Cuba.13 See figure 6 for image of card.

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TECHNOLOGY

HOTSPOTS

37 Wifi Hotspots located at: 23 in Hotels 12 in Public Spaces 1 in a Restaurant 1 at the ECETSA company building

Wifi Hotspots in Havana (Fig. 4) (No Scale)

103

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 104

By 2020 Cuba has major plans for upgrading technology and wifi access. The Cuban government wants to achieve 3 main goals. First get 80% - 100% of internet access for all government facilities and health and educational facilities. Second get 50% of broadband access for homes instead of the current 5%. Third get 90% wireless access in provincial capitals, urban zones, and rural zones. By doing this the Cuban government wants to increase ties with other countries and increase tourism so their economy can grow, which can now be achieved since some of the trade restictions with the U.S. have been lifted.9 Montreal technology hub Notman House has launched a program to give Cuba’s nascent startup scene a boost. The idea behind the project “Develop Cuba” is to create a seed fund and a way to support and educate the community on how to build an ecosystem,” says Noah Redler, the campus director at Notman House and the initiator of the Develop Cuba project. “The major obstacle they have isn’t around talent, it isn’t around want or desire, it’s literally just that basic seed capital.” In Cuba, a little money can go a long way. So far, Develop Cuba has raised a few thousand dollars to rent space for startup groups to meet in Havana and bought a projector – a rare piece of equipment in a country where even basic supplies can be hard to find. While Canadians may be helping to get the project off the groud, it will be led by the local people.4 This will not be easy nor fast but once the Cubans can gain money to buy parts that they are severely needing the country will be able to expand. The introduction of big named companies like Google, Netflix, Verizon, and Paypal trying to gain access to help the lives of the Cuban people (See Fig. 7). The increase in techonolgy will also generate more tourism and more businesses.

Hotspots in Cuba provided by Nauta (Fig. 5)

ETECSA Card (Fig. 6)

PAYPAL VERIZON

GOOGLE NETFLIX Companies investing in Cuba (Fig. 7)

Golden Years of Cuba Tourism (Fig. 8)

Tourism during Castro (Fig. 9)

Visitors per Year

Visitors (Thousands)

Tourism has been a major part of the Cuban economy for years. Tourism was started during the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golden Yearsâ&#x20AC;? of Cuba (1952 -1958) during the rule of Batista but decreased when Castro took over12 (See Fig. 8). Then in 1974 Castro allowed anyone associated with the Soviet Union into the country to benefit the economy10 (See Fig. 9). But then in 1990 the Soviet Union collapsed and so did the Cuban economy and the tourism rates. But since the collapse it has been a steady rise over the years with a few bumps in the road. But now that some of the restrictions between the U.S and Cuba have been eased, tourism and the economy should rise (See Fig. 10)7+10. It can be seen in figure 11. These charts only go to 2010 but it can be implied that the Cuban economy will get better and rise and strive. Tourism will be a great source of revenue, and it will allow the economy and the level of technology to expand in ways that the Cuban people can never imagine.

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TOURISM

2750 2500 2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500 250 0

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

1980

1978

1976

Years

Visitors per Year (Fig. 10)

105

Gross Revenue ($ Millions)

Gross Revenue per Year

2012 2010 2008 2006 2004 2002 2000

Years

1998 1996 1994 1992 1990 1988 1986 1984 1982 1980 1978 1976

Gross Revenue per Year (Fig. 11)

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

106

2750 2500 2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500 250 0

• • •

Can Cuba achieve its goals of connectivity? Will the dual-economy system ever be removed? Will the invasion of U.S. companies destroy Cuba and their economy and culture or benefit it?

SOURCES

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

QUESTIONS RAISED

1. Alonso, Barbara, and Squire Boggs. “Cuba: Technology as an Engine of Economic Development.” Accessed August 25, 2016. https://www.google.com/ url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0ahUKEwjiwc_smd3OAhUB0hoKHTYaCaEQFghAMAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.squirepattonboggs.com%2F~%2Fmedia%2Ffiles%2Finsights%2Fpublications%2F2016%2F03%2Ftechnology-as-an-engine-of-economic-development%2Ftechnolo gy-as-an-engine-of-economic-development.pdf&usg=AFQjCNG7qFRtmms2G1BOlatG1MapyOkPrw&cad=rja. 2. “Canada - Cuba Relations.” GAC. Accessed September 08, 2016. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/cuba/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_ cuba.aspx?lang=eng. 3. “#ChasingWifi in Cuba.” The New Cuba. April 13, 2016. Accessed September 01, 2016. https://meetthenewcuba.com/2016/04/13/chasingwifi-in-cuba/. 4. “Cuba.” GAC. Accessed September 08, 2016. http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/countries-pays/cuba.aspx?lang=eng. 5. “How Cubans Use WiFi Hotspots (Infographic).” Havana Timesorg How Cubans Use WiFi Hotspots Infographic Comments. Accessed September 01, 2016. http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=119229. 6. “Human Development Reports.” |. Accessed September 06, 2016. http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/CUB. 7. “Military.” Cuba’s Economy. Accessed August 25, 2016. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/cuba/economy.htm. 8. Mullins, Brody. “Google and Obama Administration Connect Over Cuba.” WSJ. March 23, 2016. Accessed September 08, 2016. http://www.wsj.com/ articles/google-and-obama-administration-connect-over-cuba-1458763836. 9. “NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN CUBA.” June 2015. Accessed August 26, 2016. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwji0vbg1t_OAhWMA8 AKHRqBAhQQFggkMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftranslatingcuba.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F06%2FCuban-Govt-Broadband-Plan-June2015-v3.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFSeyOc3gSvquAejtX2r37BsARLaw. 10. Peters, Philip. “The New Engine of the Cuban Economy.” December 2002. Accessed August 27, 2016. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= &esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi938CugePOAhWNsh4KHSeTCssQFghWMAk&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmonroecollege. edu%2FuploadedFiles%2F_Site_Assets%2FPDF%2FCuban-Economy-and-Tourism.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFNhpwRgw7vWMYxOWh2vjS706G1GQ. 11. Ritter, Arch. The Cuban Economy. Accessed August 25, 2016. http://thecubaneconomy.com/articles/tag/information-technology/. 12. Rodriguez, Elba. “A Generation of Isolation: Cuban Political Economic Policies.” December 2011. Accessed August 27, 2016. https://www.google.com/ url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQsu-EkOPOAhXJNx4KHayGAuEQFggeMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsch olarworks.wmich.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1048%26context%3Dhilltopreview&usg=AFQjCNEewITDW6SMe3Tddlqpkoh0XqWGeg. 13. “WiFi in Havana / Cuba.” Havana My Way. April 15, 2016. Accessed September 01, 2016. http://havanamyway.com/wifi-hotspots-map-havana/.

107

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

108

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY NATURAL RESOURCES

Cuba has numerous agricultural resources and these resources created the basis for the industries thriving in Cuba today. One prosperous industry is the sugar cane production. There are so many profitable outputs from sugar cane that are very beneficial to Cuba. Another industry is petroleum. Cuba has 124 million barrels of oil reserves. The extraction of this oil is based in the northern region of Havana to Villa Clara Provinces. Nickel is another industry that is present in Cuba. Cuba’s nickel deposits are considered among the largest in the world, ranking tenth after countries like the Philippines, Russia and Canada. Pharmaceuticals additionally play a big roll in Cuba’s industries. Many different herbs are used for medical symptoms. A great tobacco industry was established in Havana. Cigars from Cuba are said to be the best, most aromatic in the world.

Sugar Cane

Rolled Tobacco

Citrus Fruits

25% Sugar Cane

Cuba’s Top Exports 15% Petroleum 14% Nickel Mattes 14% 6.7% Rolled Tobacco Liqour/Rum

Coffee

Rice

Beans

109

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Agriculture

Medicinal Plants

After the fall of the Soviet Union Cuba needed to make a switch to a more agricultural based industry. They lost many of their imports and needed to focus on a more agro-ecological farming system. New techniques were required to help the country become more self-sustaining. The Cubans were able to boost food production even without the expensive imported agricultural chemicals. Organic urban farms started appearing all over the country and the concept of organoponico emerged. Organoponicos are organic vegetable farms. Different methods like pest control, composting and soil conservation were implemented into the production of produce. One method is worm composting. It is using worms to recycle food scraps. Organic materials becomes compost as it is passed through the worms body.

le tab

Pro

n tio

e eg fV

2005

Aloe: Asthma, common cold, minor cuts and bruises, burns

Annual Production of Vegetables in Havana (thousands of metric tons)

Dill: Stomach ache

Ginger: gastritis, cough, vomiting

2005 : 272

2004 : 265 2003 : 254 2002 : 189 2001 : 132

Mint: common cold, gastritis

2000 : 120

2000 Passion Friut: nervous disorders

90% of Produce is Locally Grown 110

Garlic: asthma, common cold, circulatory ailments, stomach pain, fungal infections, parasites, high blood pressure, back paint

There is an impressive array of species of fish in Cubas fisheries. The fisheries provided protein that was desperatly needed after the fall of the Soviet Union. The majority of the catches are aquired from the gulf of mexico and the caribean regions. Since the 1970s the fishing industries have seen an increase and rate high up in their exports. Some of their most valuable catches are lobster and shrimp.

Cuba: 19.7 million pounds

Fisheries Total Catches

Location of Fisheries in Cuba

Economy

Agriculture, and industries have a huge influence on the economy of Cuba. In recent years three transformations have been made Florida: to reduce the need for imported goods wihtin 7.2 million the agricultural aspect. pounds 1. State-owned to non-state producers which switches from state owning the land to local farmers being able to own the land they famr on. 2. Moderate price reforms farmers can price their own produce the way they need to, so they can achieve the desired outcomes. 3. The gradual relaxation of existing forms of agricultural commercialization once their quota of produce has been made for the Puerto Rico: state they can sell either excess output for a 1,500,000 Tons profit. Cuba: 52,672 Tons

Agricultural Based Community

Fisheries Total Catches

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Fisheries

Jobs with Economical Wages

Export of Tobacco 2014:150 150MIL. million 2014: 2013:250 250MIL. million 2013: 2012:185 185MIL. million 2012: 2011: 2011:180 180MIL. million 2010: MIL. llion 2010:170 170mi

Export of Rum 2014: 90MIL. million 2014: 90 2013: 95 2013: 95MIL. million 2012: 85 2012: 85MIL. million 2011: 70 2011: 70MIL. million 2010: 70 MIL.llion 2010: 70mi

18,000 Farmers

111

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Collected rainwater from the roof of the house is added to the pond. Various species of fish, aquatic plants, snails and other organisms thrive in the pond. This creates a biological system.

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY FLOW CHART Some of the effulents, rich in nutrients, return to the pond.

The organic waste is mixed with red African earthworms and Californian earthworms to create a compost.

The earthworm compost is then used as fertilier for plants: including sugar cane

Fertiliser Sugarcane

Biofuel production creates a subproduct that can then be used to fertilise or feed the fishes.

Subproduct

Biofuel is produced by the anerobic digestion or fermentation of organic matter. One organic matter it is produced from is bagasse.

112

Bagasse Biofuel

Sugarcane is grown by replanting part of mature cane stalks. Sets of the stalks are planted with fertiliser and covered with soil.

Bagasse is the dry pulpy residue left after the extraction of the sugarcane.

Fuel

Medica Medical

The pulpy residue is used in sugar mills as their main source of fuel. For a typical sugar mill it can produce enough heat energy to supply all the needs for production

Ethanol

Sugar cane has many health benefits. The juice from sugar cane can be used in the treatment of jaundice, dysuria and other urinary diseases

Paper

The residue from sugar cane can be used as a source to produce paper. It goes through a series of bleaching processes and helps reduce the waste from suage cane.

Electricity

Electricity is then created through combustion of the Biofuel. Using this method to produce electricity there are fewer emissions and it is renewable.

The biofuel is mixed with Petrol creating a mixture called gasohol. This mixture is more viable in countries like cuba because it grows a lot of sugarcane

Questions

RESOURCES/INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Rum

Rum is the alcoholic distillate from the fermentation of cane juice. The clear liquid is then aged in barrels made of oak.

What ways can Cuba use the outputs from sugarcane to help thier ecconomy? Can Cubans increase thier vegetable production on a local scale to then be used as profit? Can the barrels of oil reserves located in Havana contribute to the more stable economy?

Sources

1. “Result Filters.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 2. AZoMining, Written By. “Cuba: Mining, Minerals and Fuel Resources.” AZoMining.com. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 3. “The World Factbook: CUBA.” Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 4. By Sinan Koont Topics: Ecology Places: Latin America. “The Urban Agriculture of Havana by Sinan Koont | Monthly Review.” Monthly Review. N.p., 2010. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 5. By Christina Ergas Topics: Marxist Ecology Places: Cuba , Latin America. “Cuban Urban Agriculture as a Strategy for Food Sovereignty by Christina Ergas | Monthly Review.” Monthly Review. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 6. Cuba’s Leasing Program “Cuba Business Report.” Cuba Business Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 7. Issue, By. “Journal of Agricultural Studies.” Cuba’s Agricultural Transformations. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 8. “Biomass, an Inexhaustible Source of Electricity for Cuba.” Cubadebate English. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 9. 2007-08, the Cuban Zafra “Cuba’s Sugarcane Ethanol Potential: The Return of King Sugar.” MercoPress. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 10. “CUBA: Sugarcane – Source of Renewable Energy, But Not Ethanol.” Inter Press Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 11. “How Do Biofuels Generate Electricity?” Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 12. “Biofuels.” Bitesize. BBC, n.d. Web. 13. “Strömdahl, Jan. “CUBA’S TRANSITION TO ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY.” N.p., n.d. Web. 14. Ewing, Ed. “Cuba’s Organic Revolution.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2008. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 15. “Agroecology Home.” Agroecology Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 16. “Organoponico - Urban Agriculture in Havana, Cuba.” Permaculture Magazine. N.p., 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.

113

TRANSPORTATION

114

LOCALS vs. TOURISTS

Cuba is labeled as a communist government, more recently leaning toward socialism in practice. They believe that all the profits gained should be owned or controlled by the community. Havana, specifically has a large tourist industry. With all the business from tourism one would think that the local people would greatly benefit from the income. Wrong, through the lens of transportation one can see a clear divide between the local people and the tourists. The locals have suffered with a sub-par transportation system for decades. After the United States ceased trade with Cuba they have not received or bought many new vehicles. The iconic pre 1950s cars (Fig. 1) are necessary; almost all have been retrofitted with parts and engines available from Japan or Germany to keep them running. Previously there were no new cars available, recently new cars have been coming in but are priced way beyond the means of a regular citizen. Public transportation is no different, after separation from the United States, Cuba has received some vehicles from the Soviet Union. Camellos (Fig. 2), they are called for their two humps that resemble a camel, were able to handle large amounts of people at one time but were slow because of this. Recently fazed out of Havana in 2009 with the purchase of more modern Chinese and Russian buses (Fig. 3). This decreased the

demand on the system with more frequent stops and shorter wait times, because the busses could hold less people in comparison. It seemed that the problem had been solved; but these â&#x20AC;&#x153;newâ&#x20AC;? buses have begun to break down within the last couple of years. Some citizens have gone back to their tried and true method of hitch hicking. It became popular after the Soviet Union oil dried up and public transportation became neccessay but very unreliable. Locals that owned cars were encouraged to pick up people. With the local transportation in such disarray one would expect the money coming from the tourism industry to help the citizens. Basic needs should be coverd including transportation to and from jobs, stores ect. Even with such a high demand for public transportation almost all the money made on tourism is going back to the tourism indutry in forms of new buses for transportation (Fig. 4), new hotels and amenities for the tourists. The locals are getting the bare minimum while the tourists industry flourishes.

Old Cars (Fig. 1)

TRANSPORTATION

Soviet Camellos (Fig. 2)

New Chinese Buses (Fig. 3)

Tourist Buses (Fig. 4)

115

TRANSPORTATION

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Trains Buses*

300 600 km

LOCAL TRANSPORT

*Five bus routes cover this area, indicated with different line types* 116

The locals of Havana have little options when it comes to public trasportation. The public train system is small and only goes from town to town. On this map we can see the portion that runs through the city of Havana. The bus system is small but services enough of the city to move people around. Both need to be updated and revamed to accomidate the current population and the potential increase in tourism.

Bus Tour Routes Walking Zone

300 600 km

TRANSPORTATION

TOURIST TRANSPORTATION

ROUTES AND DESTINATIONS

These maps highlight an interesting separation between local and tourist transportation, the tourists are persuaded to stay within certain areas in Havana mostly centralized around large tourist attractions and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;nicerâ&#x20AC;? parts of the city. On the locals map the bus routes follow major roads and seem to hit many important areas in Havana but never go through Old Havana. Old Havana is seen as the tourist district, which is where almost all of the hotels and accommodations are located. Walking and bike tours of the city stay within old Havana. The Local transportation infastructure has more routes, passengers and distances to travel daily than the tourist transportation but still cannot support the demand.

117

TRANSPORTATION

WATER TRANSPORTATION Boats Ferries

PORT CONDITIONS

Located 90 miles south of Key West Florida Havana is in a prime location for American tourists. The embargo ceased all trade between the two countries. Today there is still tension but there has been an effort to open travel between the two countries. Havana port deals with imports and exports, there are many docks that try and accomidate these ships but the port is too shallow for the bigger ships. Improvement is needed in the port.

ZOOMED OUT

118

300 600

There is a new port in Mariel, Cuba which is 25 miles west of Havana. This will be harmful to Havanas business, Cargo and tourist ship both use the Havana port, but large ships cannot enter the port of Havana because it is too shallow. To combat this Havana would have to come up with a more permant solution to fix their shallow port. The best idea as of now would be to build a man made port extending the port out to deeper waters. For Havana to improve their transportation system they need many things. The most important is money, to buy new busses, train cars and materials to fix roads, rails and facilities.

QUESTIONS RAISED • • •

What plan could Havana impliment to fix their transportation system? What will happen if changes are not made before tourism increases? What has to happen before the cuban government can assist in helping its people?

TRANSPORTATION

LOOKING FOWARD

SOURCES

1. Glanzman, Adam. “Riding Cuba’s Railroad, One of the Oldest in the World.” Mashable. Ed. Dustin Drankoski. Mashable, 23 May 2015. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 2. HavanaJournal.com. “Driving and Road Conditions in Cuba | Havana Journal.” Havana Journal. N.p., 17 May 2008. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 3. Kreiter, Suzanne. “New Embassy in Cuba. Same Old Cars. - The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe. com. N.p., 21 July 2015. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 4. Patrick. “Transport in Cuba / Timetables (#2).” Transport in Cuba. Cuba Individual;, 21 Aug. 2016. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 5. Planet, Lonely. “Getting around Cuba on Local Transport - Lonely Planet.” Lonely Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 6. Smith, Mark. “Train Travel in Cuba . . .” Train Travel in Cuba. Mark Smith 2001-2015, n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 7. TransportTopics. “PortMiami Preparing for Service to Cuba | Transport Topics Online.” Transport Topics Online. N.p., 2 Feb. 2016. Web. 5 Sept. 2016. 8. Verlaan, Anja. “Havana Hop on Hop off Bus.” Havana Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2016.

119

TECHNOLOGY + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

planning

The act of planning is to decide in detail how something is to be completed before actually starting to do it. As the city of Havana’s importance, global presence, and symbolic importance grew, the city’s dynamics continuously morphed and expanded to what it is known to be today. The growth of Havana has been recorded through each master plan proposed over the city’s five hundred years, the most recent being published in 2011. Havana’s future is continuously changing, the more public the country gets, the more interest is generated within designs of Havana, many academic institutions and private practices have proposed their visions for what Havana could be.

Urban Form

122

PEDI Masterplan

130

Visions

136

URBAN FORM\

122

HISTORY

Havana was discovered by the Spanish in 1519 on Carenas Bay, which today is known a Plaza de Armas.6 Soon after its conception the city developed a “thriving export-economy” based on sugar and slave labor.3 This export trade quickly made Havana one of the most sought after Latin-American cities on sea fairing trade routes. The expansion of the city and its subsequent economic value lead Havana to become one of the most fortified cities in the new world.1 Havana’s tactical placement towards the inside of the bay allowed for the construction of multiple fortresses along the main inlet that allowed the city to be easily defended and access controlled. The fortified city became a safe haven for upper class citizens, while the slaves and poor began settling outside of the wall in what is now known as Central Havana. Havana’s thriving economy and unused land allowed for the city’s population to grow and in 1863 the fortification system separating the old quarter from central Havana began deconstruction. With this the physical separation between the two parts of the city began to diminish. The late 1800’s saw a period of high development within the middle class. These members started settling farther away from the city and neighborhoods such as Vedado began to develop.

URBAN FORM

URBAN FORM SPANISH LAW

plaza public and religious buildings were placed to create a civic center. Branching out residential buildings would then begin to fill the perimeter. While Havana was heavily influenced by the Spanish we find that the city does not specifically follow this model. This could be due to the fact that during the settlement process Havana was not considered an important city to government officials. This gave Havana an opportunity to develop in a more organic fashion, taking heed from the landscape and the needs of the people. The result is a semi-regular grid structure and a series of multiple plazas rather than one. While the fundamentals of the Law of the Indies can be seen, it is safe to say the code was observed but not fully executed.6 The formal differences between the Law of the Indies and how Havana actually formed can be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 1.1 below.

Law of the Indies desired form. (Fig. 1)

Actual form of Havana. (Fig. 1.1)

Through the 16th century to the 18th century the Spanish Crown developed a code of law that would govern the creation of new colonies, especially in the Americas.4 The code was intended to regulate social, political, and economic life for the new colonists. This code also strived to regulate relations between the Spaniards and native population. The collection of these codes sub sequentially became known as the Law of the Indies.4 The Law of the Indies sought to bring structure to everyday life in the colonies. In order to do this an outline of acceptable city arrangement and architectural styles was made. According to the law cities would be developed with a regular grid structure originating from a main square, or plaza, located at the center. Around the main

123

URBAN FORM

FORMATION OF HAVANA

1831-1899

Wealthy Cubans begin moving to unpopulated areas creating upscale neighborhoods such as Vedado. Fortifications are demolished allowing Colonial Havana and the expanding city to unite

1900-1924

1751-1830

Settlements outside of fortified city expand greatly,occupied by slaves and the lower classes.This area eventually becomes the most densely populated part of the city

1925-1958

A period of high growth in the middle class leads to a large expansion of space surrounding higher class neighborhoods and out lying areas

1,000 m

2,000 m

Urban sprawl begins to occur characterized by bigger plots of land and a lower population density than other areas

1601-1750

Colonial Havana expands and becomes the heaviest fortified city in the world. Smaller settlements begin to form outside of the fortified city

1519-1600

Colonial Havana is founded by the Spanish as a port city

VEDADO

CENTRO HABANA

PLAZA DE LA REVOLUCION NUEVO VEDADO

124

Formation of Havana. (Fig. 2)

CERRO

HABANA VIEJA

Old Havana formed a very unique structure as a result of not strictly following the Law of the Indies. While most Latin American cities are centered around one plaza Old Havana revolves around five. The abundance and placement of these plazas forms a “multicentered system”6 that gives amazing depth to the city and creates links from plaza to plaza. However, not all of the plazas were formed at once. The first public space to be created was Plaza de la Iglesia6 now called Plaza de Armas. By the 17th century the city had three major plazas: 1. Plaza de Armas 2. Plaza de San Francisco 3. Plaza Vieja As the city grew two more plazas, Plaza del Cristo and Plaza de la Catedral, were added to the network farther away from the original center.

ROLE OF THE PLAZA

The Plaza stands as the civic and social center for Latin American countries. The plaza regulates the city structure and traditionally housed the governmental and religious buildings. This created a center piece within the city that focused on the government’s control. However, because Havana formed multiple plazas not all of them have a governmental focus. Some such as Plaza del Cristo reside in a more residential zone. This gives Havana a degree of depth that is lacking from other Latin American cities.

1. Plaza de Armas

1,000 m

500 m

URBAN FORM

THE MULTIPULE NUCLEUES CITY

2. Plaza de San Francisco

3. Plaza Vieja

4. Plaza de la Catedral

1. Plaza del Cristo

Plazas of Old Havana. (Fig. 3)

125

URBAN FORM

EXPANSION AND CONCENTRIC RINGS As Havana expanded, political, economic, and social influences continuously transformed the city. These factors also lead to population shifts which had a great impact on how the city was used. While Havana is a smaller city it surprisingly still roughly falls into the Brugessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growth Hypothesis. This hypothesis concludes that many cities develop in a series

of rings. The inner nucleus is formed by the business district while layers of residential districts form around this zone .5 Havana is characterized as a multi-nucleus city, however, the rest of Havana in relation can be seen in this model. While no city strictly follows the Concentric Ring Model, different layers of the city can be clearly seen.

2,000 m

1,000 m

VEDADO

PLAZA DE LA REVOLUCION

CENTRO HABANA

NUEVO VEDADO

126

Zones of Havana. (Fig. 4)

CERRO

HABANA VIEJA

While Colonial Havana formed as one cohesive unit throughout time the periodic settlement of outlying areas has led to severe fragmentation of the urban fabric. Old Havana and Central Havana are both characterized by small compact blocks and narrow contoured streets, however it took many years for these settlements to meet each other. This long period of separation and the

Roated larger blocks of land disrupt and morph the existing grid structure

resulting boulevard that should have linked the two cities actually creates a large boundary between the two municipalities. Similar situations happen throughout Havana creating a fragmented city defined by large boulevards and major shifts in the density and orientation of the grid system.

Stark differences between different grid structures and irregular pieces of land define neighborhoods

2,000 m

1,000 m

URBAN FORM

FRAGMENTATION

Old Havana and Central Transitions from one Havana are separated by municipality to another are clearly defined a major tourist district lined by large through-ways through a network of larger roads

VEDADO CENTRO HABANA

PLAZA DE LA REVOLUCION

HABANA VIEJA

NUEVO VEDADO Fragmentation of Havana. (Fig. 5)

CERRO

127

URBAN FORM 128

FORM IN THE STREETSCAPE

The housing situation in Havana is a bleak one. The government rates 64% of homes in good condition, however, many residents that posess fair and poor quality homes have little access to water and frequntly experince power outages. 2 With that, it is also important to note that 16% of Havana’s population live in poor or poverty striken houses (see Fig.6). 2 However, from what information we do have we know that the residential areas of Havana are beging to change. Like most cities there is competition for space. From this need new ways of acquiring that space are emerging. The most common method that locals are resorting to is the insertion of mezzanines called “barbacoas” 2 that effectively double the floor space of a building. While this is serving the ever growing need for space it is also reeking havoc on the façade structure and vernacular of the street front. Most buildings have double height ground and third floors that characterize the street front. With the introduction of the barbacoas the double height windows that line the street are being split or permanently boarded over. This fragmentation in the facade that is changing the vernacular of the city can be seen in Fig.7 and 7.1 to the right.

7 out of 10 homes need major repairs

64% GOOD 20% FAIR 16% POOR Housing Conditions of Central Havana (Fig. 6)

Origional Facade Structure (Fig. 7)

Facade Fragmentation From the Insertion of

Barbacoas

(Fig. 7.1)

URBAN FORM

QUESTIONS RAISED

• How much does social structure influence the formation of a city? • Do shifts in the grid structure of the city also signify shifts in population, architecture, and cultural identities? If so, how can remedy the social, political, and economic differences within neighboring communities? • Is the role of the plaza changing within the urban context? Should that plaza be a sign of government influence or a reflection of the people? Why are some areas characterized by plazas and others not? • What steps can be taken to improve resident dwellings & redefine or restore the facade within the city?

SOURCES

1. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Old Havana and Its Fortification System.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2016. 2. Coyula, Mario, and Jill Hamberg. “Understanding Slums: The Case of Havana, Cuba.” The Challenge of the Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements (2003): n. pag. The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. Web. Aug.-Sept. 2016. 3. Currie, Laura Peñaranda. “From Colonial Port to Post-Revolution: Urban Planning for 21st Century Havana.” Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development 8.1 (n.d.): 50-69. Web. 1 Sept. 2016. 4. “Laws of the Indies.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. 5. Palen, J. John. The Urban World. 10th ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2001. Print. 6. Rodriguez, Patricia. Viaje En La Memoria. Vol. 2. Castuera: Officina Del Historiador De La Ciudad De La Habana, 1996. Print.

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PEDI Master Plan

130

PEDI Master Plan

PEDI MASTER-PLAN LINEAGE OF MASTER-PLANS Like any city, the planning and development of Havana has taken centuries to arrive at its current master-plan. As the City of Havana grew and the government morphed, the designing of another masterplan became imminent. The PEDI Master-Plan is the most recent attempt at acheiving a more attractive, cohesive version of the city.

The office has the power to create and establish private corporations, negotiate with world powers for the hailing of international funds, educate young residents of the town, house and feed the elderly all while monopolizing the tourist based economy in an effort to revitalize the whole of Havana. The office was not always this great source of power and influnce in Havana, founded in 1935, it’s been a long climb to its precipitous summit. The following is a quote from Leal speaking abouth the master-plan his office proposed to be used as an illustration of the passion and strength that is responsible for projects and policies affecting the Havana: “...we abandoned the conventional framework, that of preserving monuments, and time has convinced us that there can be no patrimonial development without social and community development as well. We also concluded that development was not possible

More than understanding the components to the current plan, it is crucial to know the master plans of the past, the structure and functions of the Office of the Historian and how it is situated within the State of Cuba. The timeline below summarizes the history of Havana’s master-plans and the introduction of the Historian’s office. Eusebio Leal is the current city historian who with that title holds great power. The historian’s office is essentially in total governmental control of Old Havana, the tourist epicenter of Cuba.

Havana colonized by the Spanish Navy as a port city to the Caribbeans.

ESTABLISHMENT

1603

1762

SECURITY

English Navy occupies Havana builds a wall enclosing the city from connecting water and land

Master Plan TIMELINE (Notes. 2,4,7)

Torre, designer from Spain connected walled city with countryside with 3 boulevards

EXPANSION

1817

1901

MALECON

American engineers establish Havana’s iconic waterfront in the multi-lane highway

if we failed to take culture into account. It was important to understand culture as an inspirational value, not in an elitist sense, but in its role as a vanguard of change, of transformation and of research on the past and on the future.” The year 1993 marked the official begininng of the Historian’s tourist empire. Fidel Castro passed a state law granting the office power of international negotiations, allocations of state resources, and financial autonomy from the body of Cuba. This meant that the establishment of private companies could be brought to Cuba for the first time in over half a century. The ambitious projects transitioned from paper to physical completion, its power and influence grew from there. The PEDI plan is a culmination of the office’s past and hopes for the future of Havana.

Forestier of France created new boulevards and gridded neighborhoods, Centro Havana

EMBELLISHMENT

1926

1955

URBAN CELL

Sert proposed a capitalist city plan centralizing economy and developing suburban land

Soviet Bloc collapses funds focused on Cuban countryside Havana put on hold

BLOC FELL

1980

1935

HISTORIAN

Havana’s first historian found in Leuchsenring, Leal to follow, privitization of preservation

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PEDI Maaster Plan

OHCH OFFICE OF HISTORIAN OF THE CITY OF HAVANA

Conservation Works

Culture & Patrimony

State Government

Negotiation Board

Financial Board

Monuments Board

Master Plan Team

Department of Projects

Architecture & Patrimony

Housing Division

Workshop Shool

Historian’s Office

Employment Board

Monument’s Restoration

Habaguanex Company S.A.

PEDI is an accronym for “Plan especial de Desarrollo Integral” translated to, “The Special Plan for Integral Development.” This plan is not just a prescription of sweeping improvements for the aged city. The plan aggresively attempts to restructure the social, economic and physical aspects of Havana, Cuba in its entirety. The plan itself appears democratic, modern and logical it its methodology, it is somewhat of a surprise to know that it originated in one of the few remaining communist states in the world. 132

San Cristobal Travel Agency

Fenix Real Estate Co.

La Begonia Gardening Co.

The PEDI plan can be categorized into 10 major themes (Source 1, 3): 1. Waterfront Revitalization 2. Reinforcing Polycentrism 3. Increase of Public Space 4. New Transportation System 5. Infrastructure Upgrading 6. Mixed Use Development 7. Social and Cultural Integration 8. Redevelopment of Calzadas 9. Increse of Green Space 10. Urban Infill

Puerto Carenas Contruction Co.

A further investigation of aspects within the plan will follow. The massive success of smaller projects from the Office of the Historian has been shrouded in political confusion and well-rooted in the global market. As of August 1, 2016 the mass of responsibilities the office held shifted to a company managed by Armed Forces of the Cuban State. The current status of projects managed by the office especially the PEDI Master Plan are currently unknown.

PEDI Master Plan

3 PROJECTS COMPLETED BY OHCH

Aerial of Plaza (Image. 1)

View from Malecon (Image. 2)

Prespective from Courtyard (Image. 3)

PLAZA VIEJA

HOTEL SARATOGA

LONJA DEL COMERCIO

Arguably the most influential plaza within Havana, Plaza Vieja went through extensive change over its five hundred plus years. In the mid 1900’s, Batista had a large parking garage and ampitheatre constructed in place of the plaza. As Leal and the office gained momentum both financially and publically, a revitalization of the plaza bacam a major priority. The plaza now acts as a global representative of the quintissential Cuban public space. Enmeshed in the process of recreating this icon required analysis of politics of public space and the economy it can create for Old Havana.

An unofficial historic landmark as the place where Hemingway wrote “A Farewell to Arms” among other notable occurances, this hotel acts as a tangible product delivered straight from the Historian’s office. A top to bottom rehabilitation of the structure was not feasible with the limited supplies and influence of the office at the time. The building was gutted, only the street facade remained, then a structure was placed behind the invaluable facade, a method that has since been repeated many times over during the revitalization of dilapidated buildings throughout the city.

Constructed during a time of great US influence in Cuba, this acted as the stock exchange for fifty years. Programmed to house the epitome of capitalism, an ideology unfavored in the country the building’s function has since shifted to being a marketplace of commerce for the people of the area. This was an extensive rehabilitation project that acted as an anchor to the revitalization of the entire coast of Old Havana. Being so close to the water and large roadways, this building is one of great visual and symbolic importance to Cuba’s heritage, at the core of the Historian’s efforts.

DATE: began in 1996 LOCATION: Old Havana, Interior COST ESTIMATE: unknown

DATE: began in 1998 LOCATION: Old Havana, Waterfront COST ESTIMATE: $1,200,ooo

DATE: began in 1995 LOCATION: Old Havana, Waterfront COST ESTIMATE: $13,000,000

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PEDI Master Plan

PEDI MASTER PLAN

Disecting major aspects of the plan produced by the office of the historian into 6 key motifs.

CENTRAL HAVANA

OLD HAVANA

PLAZA DE REVOLUTION

CERRO

N 134

PEDI Master Plan

QUESTIONS RAISED

waterfront boulevard to include pedestrian walkways, and undersground road and subway

maintenance and expansion of Havana’s parks city-wide improvement

MALECON DRIVE

PUBLIC SPACE

TRANSPORTATION

NATIVE TREES

renovation of train system, implementation of new bus routes and emphasis of bicylces

planting of palms and othe trees in urban plan to reduce heat island effect and improve air quality

-How is community involvement in the plan’s completion to be organized or encouraged? -What is the plan’s level of completion? -What role will the Office of the Historian play in greater Havana with the recent shifting of power? -Is there an intended timeline in place for the plan and projects affiliated with it?

SOURCES

TEXT 1. Barcia Robainas, Ayleen. Urban Strategies in Old Havana, Web. 2. Currie Penaranda, Laura. From Colonial Port to PostRevolution: Urban Planning for 21st Century Havana, 2012, Web. 3. Hernandez, Julio. Rethinking the Spirit of Place: The Magic and Poetry of Havana, 2011, Web. 4. Hernandez, Julio. A Vision for the Future of Havana, 2011, Web. 5. Hernandez, Mileydis Revitalization and Modernization of Old Havana, Cuba, 2009, Web. 6. Quiroga Paneque, Maya. Urbanism, Preservation and Planning Ahead in Habana Vieja, 2016, Web. 7. Modlich, Regula. Master Plan for Havana: An Encounter with Julio César Pérez Hernández, 2009, Web. 8. Stamn, Lauren, Deconstructing the Dual City: Preservation and Tourism in La Habana Vieja, 2014, Web. IMAGES 1. http://diytravelhq.com/plaza-vieja-best-plaza-oldhavana/ 2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/ alexandratalty/2016/03/21/five-landmarks-the-obamasshould-see-in-cuba/#12537dfd43e4 3. https://cuba-divers.info/ciudad-habana/edificios

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VISIONS

136

VISIONS

VISIONS On the coast of Cuba, the city of Havana has been an icon of the Caribbean. The port city has, however, been largely uninfluenced for the majority of the late twentieth century. This anomaly of a city has thus become a hotbed of ideas and projects in the past five years as universities and professionals begin to produce plans and proposals for the city. The University of Florida presented a graduate study of the connection between Miami and Havana proposing a ferry system between the two cities. Kent State University sent a group of students to visit the city and map out four projects there are part of an study abroad opportunity.

MIAMI+HAVANA CONNECTION

William Hamilton Arthur IV completed a graduate thesis project at the University of Florida involving the city of Miami, Florida and the city of Havana, Cuba. A ferry system was proposed between the two cities as a result of the improving relations between the countries. The project used historical evidence and retrospective thinking to accomplish two distinctly different ferry ports, yet a cohesive design aesthetic between the two as well. The project is a solid move toward an interconnected travel world between Cuba and the United States. This project is a good guide to a future project in Havana, Cuba

Miami Landing Site

Havana Terminal

Ferry Route Map. (Fig. 1)

Miami Ferry Port. (Fig. 2)

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VISIONS SQUARE MILES

COASTLINE MILES

SQUARE MILES

11.38 MILLION

11.61 MILLION

SQUARE MILES

2.12 MILLION

298,521

ACRES

INDUSTRY

ACRES

AGRICULTURE

BY SECTOR

Cleveland + Havana Comparison . (Fig. 3)

138

SERVICES

COASTLINE MILES

Puento Nico Lopez

El Bosque

Calle to Old

de la

Bahia

Hava

ne Re fi

Ve rd

gla

Distrito del Centro

Av en

Ferry

Via

The first project studied from Kent State University was an analysis of the Nico Lopez Oil Refinery, in Havana, Cuba. The project proposed redevelopment of an oil refinery in Havana mixed use based on size of reclaimed oil tanks. Dividing tanks into sections and areas they can be used for a variety of programs and solutions. The introduction of solar and wind power brings a new perspective to the project as the buildings have the potential to become self sufficient. After studying the streets of Havana, architectural decisions can be made and utilized in the proposed project. An approach was established for an 80 year plan broken into four stages; Nourish, Establish, Strengthen, and Thrive. This project demonstrates good use of city analysis and creates a sort of template for successful urban streets and pathways. The conclusions that were drawn focused around the buildings and the aesthetics involved with those buildings. Elements such as wrought iron and stained glass hold cultural significance, while narrow sidewalks and streets are conducive to walkable cities.v

Distrito del Arte

ria

Ferry

CLEVELAND+ HAVANA ANALYSIS

VISIONS

due to its use of transportation and historical relevance. The design of the two terminals reflects the culture and history of each city and incorporates design elements specific to the respective countries.

Alo

Project Overview. (Fig. 4) Centro de Agua

Via

Distrito del Mercado

nio

ulo

Tria

Via

erc

Garanja Urbana

Regla 0’

500’

1,500’

Tank Placement. (Fig. 5)

Tank Layouts. (Fig. 6)

Tank Installation. (Fig. 7)

139

VISIONS

massive residential complex of housing and hotels. Public buildings, high end residential, affordable residential, commercial and mixed use space, park and green spaces, and pedestrian areas, make up the complex covering more than 49 square city blocks. This project covers a lot of area spanning across the city of Havana. The sheer size of the projects demonstrate that by spreading out across the city and then back tracking to join them creates one singular project that covers multiple programs. This project shows that large scale projects could work and by tackling many issues, a smaller program can be broader and show more general ideas that may address a larger issue.

Residential District Complex. (Fig. 8)

DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC PLAZAS

The second project from Kent State University proposed four district centers focused around Mercantile, Entertainment, Art, and Residence. These districts also held existing architectural focus as a contributing factor to the design of the buildings within the districts. Focus on color, proportions, logias, balconies, courtyards, roof terraces, wrought iron, and 140

screening and shading. The Mercantile District, or Villa del Mercado, consists of a center park area, flanked by mixed use buildings, with pedestrian streets between the park and buildings. The Entertainment District, or Distrito de Enretenimiento, offers a water research center, aquarium, light stack, and a hotel. The Art District, or Distrito del Arte, is a superblock containing a library, dance facility, theater, music venue, a school, an outdoor amphitheater, and residential areas. Finally, the Residential District, or Distrito Residencial, features a

Mercantile District. (Fig. 9)

The third project produced by Kent State University is a green boulevard with a public transportation link incorporated into the main street. The boulevard has two larger public points on either end of the stretch. The northern end features a forest of trees and public spaces for the community, including a football field, picnic grounds, and community gardens. The southern public plaza is a complex of open spaces and farm fields, engaging the citizens in a communal effort to improve food production and diet. The connecting corridor between the northern and southern plazas consists of a public transit line, a jogged pedestrian area, and an intersection with a pedestrian focus. The Greenway is an example of a green street and how a city can integrate public transit, pedestrian walkable areas, and public outdoor spaces. The joining of these spaces create an avenue in the city that citizens want to be in. They want to experience this area and the juxtaposition of the nature and technology. By incorporating a traditional park with picnic areas, fields, and playgrounds, people are likely to utilize this area and make it part of their routines to be in the park, therefore getting people outside and in the city, which could have an effect on how they treat the city itself.

VISIONS

PUBLIC TRANSIT & GREENWAY

Overview of Greenway (Fig. 10)

Public Transit Main Line. (Fig. 11)

Center for Growth. (Fig. 12)

Forest Park. (Fig. 13)

141

VISIONS

THE WATERFRONT

142

The fourth and final project from Kent State University depicts the coastline surrounding Havana, Cuba, and the effects that Global Warming may have on the area. The project outlines how to design for the accepted level of sea rise, as well as being prepared to accommodate for the 500 year flood line. A set of drawings show the areas of potential land loss, areas of accepted sea level rise, and areas inaccessible to human pedestrians. The proposed master plan includes Water Management, Cultural Areas, a Marina, A Ferry Pier, Recreation Area, and Wetlands. Sections show current sea level and projected sea levels, as well as bioswale locations, and constructed wetlands. The final project shows what an environmentally adjusted Havana could look like, showing the bay area as it would be with the effects of global warming. The response to a changing climate is a strong argument for a project as it takes on a problem that is a reality and created a solution to it. The inclusion of water management and man-made wetlands, creates areas that will absorb the influx of water. The recreation areas create places for pedestrian access and public activity.

Rendering of the Proposed Waterfront Revitalization. (Fig. 14)

• • •

How can these projects pose elements to improve the physical state of Havana? Are there strategies similar to those presented already being implemented in Havana? Are student projects useful in the brainstorming and creation of ideas surrounding how to engage with Cuba in the coming years as relations are explored and strengthened?

SOURCES

TEXT 1. Arthur, William Hamilton, IV. “MiamiHavana Ferry Terminal.” WILLIAM HAMILTON ARTHUR ARCHITECT, INC. 2015. http://whaiv.us/?portfolio=miamihavana-ferry. 2. Kent State University. “Cleveland Havana Analysis.” Slide Share. May 20, 2016. http:// www.slideshare.net/S8008/2016-havanastudio-cleveland-havana-analysis. 3. Kent State University. “Districts & Public Plazas.” Slide Share. May 20, 2016. http:// www.slideshare.net/S8008/2016-havanastudio-districts-public-plazas. 4. Kent State University. “Public Transit Greenway.” Slide Share. May 20, 2016. http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-public-transitgreenway?qid=12ab69d8-4317-4477-ae4eafcf729767ef&v=&b=&from_search=1. 5. Kent State University. “Waterfront Development.” Slide Share. May 20, 2016. http://www.slideshare.net/S8008/2016havana-studio-waterfront-development.

IMAGES Fig. 1 http://whaiv.us/?portfolio=miamihavana-ferry. Fig. 2 http://whaiv.us/?portfolio=miamihavana-ferry. Fig. 3 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-clevelandhavana-analysis. Fig. 4 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-clevelandhavana-analysis. Fig. 5 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-clevelandhavana-analysis. Fig. 6 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-clevelandhavana-analysis. Fig. 7 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-clevelandhavana-analysis. Fig. 8 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-districts-publicplazas. Fig. 9 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-districts-publicplazas.

VISIONS

QUESTIONS RAISED

IMAGES Fig. 10 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-public-transitgreenway?qid=12ab69d8-4317-4477-ae4eafcf729767ef&v=&b=&from_search=1. Fig. 11 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-public-transitgreenway?qid=12ab69d8-4317-4477-ae4eafcf729767ef&v=&b=&from_search=1. Fig. 12 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-public-transitgreenway?qid=12ab69d8-4317-4477-ae4eafcf729767ef&v=&b=&from_search=1. Fig. 13 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-public-transitgreenway?qid=12ab69d8-4317-4477-ae4eafcf729767ef&v=&b=&from_search=1. Fig. 14 http://www.slideshare.net/ S8008/2016-havana-studio-waterfrontdevelopment.

143

Special thanks to our Studio professors,

Jayashree Shamanna and Gabriel Fuentes,

formally known as "Jabe," for all their guidance

and insight in the creation of this book.

This book took the authors two months, three weeks, six days and 11 hours to create. Time sure flies when you're a Habanero.

the authors History of Cuba US-Cuba Relations Soviet-Cuba Relations Heritage+Preservation Heritage+Eco-Tourism Global Cultural Influences Activism+Demographics Politics of Public Space Natural Forces Politics of Water Waste Systems Industrial Production Lineamientos+Economy Technology+Economics Resources+Industrial Ecology Transportation Urban Form PEDI Masterplan Visions

Edward Sanborn Nick Zaino Thomas Missal Michelle Kleva Ivan Hanson Thaisha Roldan-Sanchez Emma Mucilli Jamie Lee Caleb Freeze Tyler Nathanson Dave Markfelder Christian Simrell Megan Brody Michaela Giacomazza Sarah Becker Kayleen Zeko Kelsey Segraves Andrew Ansbrow Tyler Shiner

MUSOA