Havana by Janis Atelbauers

Development of Public Transport and Housing in Havana During a Period of Transition: A ''Hybrid'' Proposal

Janis Atelbauers University of Cambridge, Hughes Hall,

26/05/2017

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MPhil Examination in Architecture & Urban Design (2015-2017)

Thesis is the result of my own work, all images, photos and figures are the author's own unless stated otherwise.

Words: 12 000

Satellite photo of Havana Cuba. Source: NASA photo

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank those who have assisted and supported me in the course of this project, by their generous guidance and provision of crucial information . Richard Beacham

Ingrid Schroder

Ernesto J. Gomez Figueredo

Kings College London

University of Cambridge

Granma (Newspaper of the Central Committe,

Professor Emeritus

Course Director

of the Cuban Communist Party)

Marcos Rodriguez Bello

Felipe Hernandez

Journalist

University of Havana

University of Cambridge

Jesus Fernandez Garcia

Construction Engineer

Thesis Supervisor

Bella Caribe Internationl, De la Habana

Song Ming Zhong

Aram Mooradian

Beyond Architecture, Shanghai

University of Cambridge

Olivia Rodriguez Rolando

Design Director, Architect

Design Tutor

University of Havana

Jaime Hernandez Garcia

Entrepreneur

Faculty of Communications

University of La. Javeriana , Colombia

C. Erik Vergel-Tovar

Researcher, Department of Architecture and Design

Del Rosario University, Colombia

Juan Triana

Researcher, City and Regional Planning

University of Havana

Ivan Urra Bravo

Cuban Economist and Government Official

Ministry of Transport Building, Havana

Natalia Delgado

Doctor in Technical Science

Columbia Law School

Julio Cesar Perez Hernandez

Senior Research Fellow, Lawyer

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Babak Mohammadzadeh

Cuban Architect and Urban Planner

University of Cambridge

PhD Candidate Politics and International Studies Timon Forster University of Cambridge

MPhil Sociology

Contents

Introduction

Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project

Havana's metro initiatives

Transport. Relevant examples

Possible costs for metro

Conditions of housing in Havana

Social housing: The need for reform

Constructing public transport and social housing together within one site; the importance of their interaction

''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

Conclusion

115

Bibliography

119

1 Introduction

“Our capital is a gigantic city, if we take into

My thesis will draw attention to some of these issues

consideration the size of our country. If it had been in

in more detail and present potential remedies – just

our hands to found the city of Havana, we would have

as, over the years, and now with some sense of

founded it elsewhere, or we would never have

increasing urgency, the Cuban government has also

allowed it to grow so much that the solution of some

been trying to address them. In particular, I will tackle

problems has become difficult, serious, even grave...”

the two major concerns of a) an appropriate public

Fidel Castro, 1963

transport system able to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of tourists, businessmen, and

This opening quote attests that Castro and other

immigrants to Havana, and b) addressing one aspect

leaders of the revolution recognised very early on the

of the housing shortage. These two solutions closely

challenges Havana posed. These concerns – ranging

interlock,

from the need to preserve the urban heritage to

afore-mentioned challenges. However, understanding

limiting migration from the countryside, and from

and solving each of them offers, potentially, a key

addressing a housing shortage to dealing with a lack

solution to achieving a successful and sustainable

and

taken

together,

confront

the

of skilled labour – are still relevant today. In fact, in

transition of Havana as it undertakes what will almost

view of the evolving transition of Cuba from socialism

certainly be significant capitalist development in the

to a more open, market-based economy, these and

21st century.

other problems have become even more important and pressing.

1 Introduction

In this thesis, I argue that the increased pressure on the public transport system caused by a reduction of restrictions to flows of goods, capital, and people is best addressed by building a new underground system. Although as we shall see, significantly challenging, the perception of the value of a Havana metro is hardly novel. Indeed, as I detail, the Cuban government already discussed similar plans for a metro in the 1980s. Simultaneously, and as part of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hybridâ&#x20AC;? design approach, I tackle the issue of a severe housing shortage. I suggest the provision of architecturally innovative modular social housing which is assembled on-site next to the proposed metro stations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as opposed to the more time-consuming and resource-intensive renovation of existing buildings in decline. I believe this project, i.e. the integration of a metro with modular social housing, allows for and enables a pragmatic, rapid, and efficient solution to some of the major concerns following from the transition. At the same time, the proposed project pays due respect to the historical legacy and architecture of Havana.

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project Before the revolution in Cuba (thus prior to 1959),

They, therefore first supported the Cuban revolution,

the USA had played a leading role in Cuban affairs and

and then, once their preeminent role in Cuba was

its social, economic, and political development.

established,

Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, golf clubs, and

which resulted in the Cuban missile crisis in the

opportunistically

undertook

actions

casinos sprung up in Havana catering in part to

autumn of 1962.

wealthy Americans in search of exotic luxury. Tourism, together with the production and export of

The geopolitical tensions had existed between the

sugar, was making a certain segment of Cubans very

two world superpowers from the Second world war,

rich; but, crucially, not all Cubans. What the tourists

and these continued, growing dangerously, until

didn't see, or didn't wish to see, were people trapped

1991, and arguably beyond. After that, with the

in poverty who worked only during the four-month

demise of the Soviet Union, there was a period of

season, but the rest of the year were unemployed,

brief relaxation and a greater level of trust and

frustrated, and increasingly, angry. The vast degree of

cooperation on a working level, especially in regard

income inequality as well as accusations of rampant

to military affairs and issues of national security.

corruption within the government of President

However, more recently, there has not been further

Batista provided the background and laid the

significant improvement; indeed, relations have

groundwork for the Cuban Revolution. Meanwhile,

deteriorated.

the expansion of US influence in Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War, and in particular

We witness rising tensions right now (and not just in

its placing of missiles in Turkey next to Soviet borders,

the context of relations between Russia and the USA),

was a source both of irritation and strategic concern

vividly illustrated in the paradox between persistent

to Moscow. The leaders in the Kremlin quickly

trends toward openness on the one hand, and

recognised

counter trends towards greater security and control

the

opportunity

challenge

the

Americans and expand at their expense in the

of the free exchange of people.

Caribbean, demonstrating Soviet power and influence right next to American borders.

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project It represents one response to

a rapidly-changing

Cuba is a particularly vivid example of such desire,

world where, (to take a particular relevant and

evident in developments in recent years there

compelling example) barriers were removed for free

regarding migration policy and practice.

movement in Europe. But now we once again witness the rise of nationalism dramatized (to take one

However, It is not only in issues of migration that

example) where one of the European Union members

Cuba is undergoing profound changes in terms of the

(UK) has voted by referendum for leaving EU.

openness of its relationship with the outside world and in particular with the United States. It has been

reactions

and

much in the news in recent months following the

counter-trends, globalization, together with advances

restoration of diplomatic relations with the US.

in communications, and transportation, has greatly

Promising conversations about opening up for trade

increased the number of people with the desire and

are being aggressively pursued. Commercial flights

capacity to move to other countries and cities.

were restored in 2016. Now with the recently elected

Migration

president in the USA, there is uncertainty how those

Unforeseeable

attracts

increasing

elements,

attention. and

relations will progress, but there will most certainly

complexity, increase the challenges and difficulties of

be further economic development and increased

international

commercial activity (Migrationpolicy 2015).

migration

emergencies,

and

require

enhanced

cooperation and collective action.

Figure 1: Collage

Source: Author, composed from several sources

In marked contrast to recent positive developments initiated by Obama and Raul Castro, back in 1961 the US severed relations following the Cuban Revolution. The US embassy building, located in what came to be called Havana's â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anti-imperialist Parkâ&#x20AC;?, subsequently housed The United States' ''Interest Section'' between 1977 and 2015, operated under The Swiss embassy (as protecting power). In August, 2015, after a break of 55 years, the Embassy of the United States reopened, thanks to Pope Francis, Raul Castro and Cuban Americans. Interestingly, it was not just the fact of the embassy reopening that was significant: the physical site itself had for almost a decade taken on a substantial political resonance. There was a propaganda war from 2001 to 2009 staged in the ''anti-imperialist plaza'' immediately adjacent to the former embassy. For example, in 2006 while Fidel Castro was giving a speech in this plaza, a banner appeared on what had been the embassy building, with the message: ''Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair.'' The Cuban government erected a small forest of poles and black flags to obscure the view of the embassy from the plaza.

American embassy

such

Poles and black flags

despite

Anti-imperialist Park

Nevertheless,

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project Such developments occur in the larger context that

For Cuba's transition to a more conventional

over recent decades, Cuba has started transitioning

capitalist economy, the relationship with the US is

to a more open, market-based economy. This

particularly important. This is due to their close

promises to stimulate economic growth – for

geographical proximity and because the US – as an

instance, through increased exports and foreign

economic super-power – provides access to a vast

direct investment – and gives its citizens access to a

global market. Figure 2 selectively illustrates a few

more diverse set of goods and services from abroad.

recent important developments between the two

However, there are also significant “downsides” to

nations. Most of these are unprecedented and

globalization which may lead to higher social and

replace practices that were in effect since the Cold

economic inequality. This is likely for example,

War.

because usually the well-educated strata of the population benefit disproportionately from foreign

Taken together, these changes alter fundamentally

direct investment (Jaumotte, et al., 2013). To take

the flow of goods, capital, and people to and from

another example (particularly relevant to Cuba’s

Cuba. Put differently, Cuba is able to market goods

situation), the transition from socialism to capitalism

and services internationally and domestic citizens

in Russia has highlighted potentially disastrous effects

may consume more diverse, foreign goods. In

on mortality rates of working men, if citizens and

addition, recent developments are slowly

institutions are unable to readjust to the new

encouraging and enabling foreign corporations to

environment in a timely fashion (e.g., Stuckler & Basu,

enter the Cuban market, either indirectly by setting

2013; Stuckler, et al., 2009).

up subsidiaries or through foreign direct investment.

Recent development between Cuba and USA December 2014

May 2015

July 2015

August 2015

Presidents Obama and Castro announced their intentions to normalize relationships between the two countries.

Cuba removed from the US ''State Sponsors of Terrorism'' list. Cuba has opened 35 Wi-Fi access points nationwide, offering unprecedented online access in a country that until now has restricted use of the Internet to a small elite. The US restores and reopens its embassy in Havana.

July 2016

US companies Airbnb and Netflix began operating in Cuba.

November 2016

After more than 50 years, the first normally scheduled commercial flight from Miami landed in Havana on an American Airlines jet.

March 2017

Travel from the US to the Caribbean island has increased, with the start of direct flights and cruises and roaming agreements signed, but no manufacturing or significant trade deals have yet been agreed.

Figure 2: Timeline of recent developments between the US and Cuba

Source: Author, composed from several sources (Reuters, BBC, USAToday)

At the Havana International Fair (FIHAV) Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca unveiled the ready-made investment opportunities (Cuba seeks, 2015).

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project This will undoubtedly cause different dynamics and is

Once in Cuba, my main interaction was with a young

likely to encourage waves of migration (see Figure 3).

journalist from Granma; the official newspaper of the

What is also probable in the context of greater

Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party.

opportunities for foreign investment is the recruiting

This was Ernesto with whom I had extensive

or training of people required to operate or provide

conversations

these new initiatives. This is turn may quite possibly

ambitions, and aspirations. It was quickly and

have an influence upon labour conditions and

compellingly evident from my discussions with him

practices in Cuba, as foreign companies introduce

and others that there is a strong aspiration and

their own, different practices. In my thesis I will

striving to be able to travel and access the newest

about

Cuban

life,

challenges,

investigate how the gradual opening up of Cuba to

technologies and information of the kind which much

both social and economic reform has the potential to

of the developed world is routinely enjoying. I also

continue to improve its relations with the outside

met several young people who just wanted to leave

world and in particular with the United States.

Cuba to go to the USA; a very prominent trend in 50k

recent years. To place my thesis in the personal context which informs it: I traveled to Havana (where I spent the

But I also was made aware that there is a strong

summer of 2016) to engage directly with some of the

difference between the opinions of the younger

topics I explore here. In addition to learning as much

generation and the older generation who were part

as I could about those aspects of the City and its

of the Revolution and to some significant

culture relevant to my project, I undertook to

devoted – even sacrificed -- themselves to significant

rediscover information and study the history (and

extent. They grew up with the Revolution and its

have

future potential) of Havana’s forgotten metro.

values, and probably a fundamental change in their

Although I had become aware of this metro project,

attitude will not happen. They see the Revolution

and learned some details about it, very little indeed

primarily from a positive perspective, and of course

was to be found, despite determined research effort,

many feel a personal loyalty and “investment” in it.

outside of Cuba.

40 30 20 10 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Figure 3: Number of Cubans entering the U.S on the rise

Source: U.S Customs and Border Protection and U.S Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project Many from this generation continue to believe that

In this regard, lessons may be drawn from the

Communism is a good (or at least relatively benign)

example and experience of other transitioning

system; it works for the poor and everyone is equal.

economies. The development of market-based

The Communist party is mostly represented by and

institutions

comprised of this generation. When I questioned

emergence of a market-determined price mechanism,

includes

first

and

foremost

the

Ernesto about whether he feels that there will be

where prices are no longer set by central state

economical change in the wake of recent political

planners. In addition to this, trade barriers are

activities between USA and Cuban government, he

removed and there is a push to privatise state-owned

was not convinced himself about the prospect of

enterprises. Previously state-owned enterprises are

extensive improvements. But without doubt Cubans

then restructured as businesses. Lastly, a financial

of all generations want a better economic future.

sector is created to facilitate the movement of private capital.

Notwithstanding Cuba's complex relationship and attitude towards the United States and the possibility

There might also be a sombre lesson to be learned

that relations might deteriorate in the short term,

from the Soviet Union's collapse in which there was

there is, I believe, an underlying strong trend

evident both inner and outer forces whose interest

underpinning Cuba's pivot towards a managed

was that the post Soviet Union countries undergo

market-based economy. Recent policy decisions --

rapid changes. There were two major reasons for

from

this: 1. Interested parties wanted to be sure that the

hairdressers to restaurant owners currently allows for

process was so rapid it was not reversible, and 2.:

(hundreds

different

job

categories

self-employment and foreign investment (Sagebien,

there were groups of opportunistic people who were

et al., 2014) -- indicate that the leadership in Havana

extremely anxious to gain financially from a process

is increasingly looking favourably toward Cuba's

not yet closely regulated by new governments. It may

international economic integration through the

well be that similar conditions will in due course (as

agency of foreign capital.

history repeats itself) in part determine future developments in Cuba.

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project Privatizations in Russia and Eastern Europe were also

Deals were struck between incumbent management

accompanied by large-scale corruption particularly in

and investment funds. These and other reported

the context and course of the sale of the formerly

irregularities began to generate adverse publicity for

state-owned

companies.

(Kaufmann,

D.,

the whole privatization process and popular support

Siegelbaum, P. 1997)

began to wane.

To cite one - not untypical - example:

In a number of cases incumbent managers actively resisted attempts by new majority owners to enter

“During the mass privatization program in Lithuania

business premises. In other cases financial and other

Inequities in housing privatization were inevitable.

records handed over to new owners were falsified.’’

Privileged individuals taking ownership of superior

(Lieberman, 1995, et al., p. 20).

flats in major cities were at a considerable advantage over individuals in smaller industrial towns. ‘Price adjustments’ in such cases were inadequate to reflect real value differences. Moreover, problems are emerging with new owners of flats in terms of coordinating ownership rights for matters of communal

interest.

The

privatization

process

gradually became less transparent, particularly after the introduction of investment funds. There were abundant rumors of mafia-like tactics where people wishing to bid at auctions were forcibly restrained from entering the auction room.

2 Current social, political, economic, cultural conditions, and physical circumstances; strengths and difficulties in Cuba (Havana) relevant to my design project During

such

transitions,

those

with

political

connections unfairly gained huge wealth. But there were other, even more unfortunate consequences, some of them long-lasting. For example, a 2009 study published in The Lancet medical journal (estimated that as many as 1,000,000 working men died as a result of economic shocks associated with mass privatization in the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe during the 1990s (Stuckler, 2009). And that in turn had a snowball effect on the rise of a great many other problems, including - to take one example -- child prostitution. The sexual exploitation of children in countries undergoing such rapid transformation was tremendously influenced not just by poverty, but also both by the dramatic increase in tourism, and the rise of human trafficking (Stulhofer, A. 2005). Yet another profound consequence was the rise of emigration to western countries. All of these historical occurrences and consequences might readily appear in the Cuban context.

3 Havana's metro initiatives

My contact (Ernesto) from the Communist party

I met and recorded an interview with both men (in

newspaper, Granma to whom I referred earlier,

Spanish and Russian). In my research up to this point,

enabled me to meet people whose direct knowledge

of the Havana metro initiatives greatly assisted my

researching the Metro concluded that the Cuban

had

observed

that

investigators

research and I have drawn upon this in preparing my

government had classified the information for the

thesis. One of the people I met was Olivia Rosario

sake of national security, and that consequently it

Rodriguez Rolando who is a reporter from the TV

was unavailable. However, Ivan revealed it was in fact

Channel Habana. Through her I was put in touch with

accessible, and in due course I was able to view and

her father Mr. Marcos Rodriguez Bello who was

copy materials relating to the work done between

executive secretary of the Metro project in the 90’s

1980-1983.

Figure 5: The roaring 20s of New York City inspire Havana.

Source: The New York Times, 1929

(Secretaria Ejecutiva del Metro). His group was now dealing with a few investors from different South

Long before that, in 1921, plans for an underground

American countries who believed that the project

system in Havana were first mentioned (The New

could be saved. He also knew people from the

York Times, 1921). Figure 5 presents an excerpt of the

Transport Ministry who were involved in the earlier

original article. Accordingly, Cuban representatives

project. One of these “master minds” behind the

travelled to New York in order to study its subway

Metro studies was Ivan Urra Bravo (Doctor en

and to arrange for financing. However, for reasons

Ciencias Tecnicas)

unknown to the public, the project was abandoned.

who led the Laboratory of

Integrated Transport Scheme (Labaratoria Esquema Integral del Transporte) and was the co-director of the overall project.

Figure 6: Collage. Source: Author, composed from several sources. Article cut

outs from Grnama archives provided by Ernesto J. Gomez Figueredo 42

3 Havana's metro initiatives

Decades later, in the late 1970s, Cuba become a

Along the number of daily bus passengers (marked by

stage and showcase where the Soviets could

1) in Havana, other statistics in Figure 7 are

demonstrate that the right and most successful

noteworthy, too. In 1983, there were 2,050 buses

system was communism rather than capitalism. For

operating in Havana (number 2). Based on the

them it was an unexpected showcase to display their

interviews I conducted with Ivan Urra Bravo (August,

power and success, and moreover, the fact that their

2016) this number is somewhat lower today. The

political ideology could successfully “migrate” to the

average time to work by bus was 42 minutes (letter

Americas. It was profoundly in Russian interests to

A), while covering an average distance of 5.7km

show to Latin America how prosperous Cuba was by

(letter B). Unfortunately, no current numbers of the

trying to assist it to be efficient and technologically

latter are publicly available. However, it is reasonable

advanced. Cuba was heavily subsidised with oil from

to believe that both have increased over time: As

the Soviets, and also supported economically in many

workers commute farther to their workplace, they

ways. But despite such extraordinary assistance,

necessarily spend more time on the bus, especially in

there remained serious and endemic problems: for

view of increasingly congested traffic. My contacts

example, the daily average of 30,000 bus trips

expressed great concern that, if as seems likely, car

required in Havana meant that the city was not able

ownership significantly increased, such problems

to cope with the need for service and access. The

would quickly become far worse.

obvious solution was the creation of a Metro. (Gonzalez, 2014). Yet, this time, unlike earlier when such provision was first broached, the major impetus was the widely condemned inadequacy of the Havana bus system – then carrying more than 1.1 million

Figure 7: Overview of different transport

passengers per day (see Figure 3) – since it was

indicators for Havana in 1983

notorious for being late and unable to cope with the

Source:

demand for its services.

Transport Development, 1983

Integral

Scheme

Urban

3 Havana's metro initiatives

Research undertaken between 1980 and 1983

(there were some 15 Soviet specialists assisting in

– reported in Integral Scheme of Urban Transport

Havana), with an external circular line off of which

Development

(1983)

branches would run. Seven variant and alternative

– concluded that a public underground system was

the

City

Havana

layouts were considered, including options which

the obvious solution to public transport issues. A

combined an amalgamation of underground and

Cuban delegation visited Moscow to study its metro

over-ground lines (see Figure 8). These alternative

system. With these insights, the project progressed

variants were reduced by 1983 to just two: one with

and became known among Havanians as “the work of

the metro running entirely underground, the other a

the century” (Gonzalez, 2014). In the 1980s, however,

mixture of underground and rail corridors.

Michail Gorbatchov initiated perestroika and glasnost which led to the reduction of subsidies, with a

The plans were duly approved by the Cuban

devastating impact upon Cuba.

authorities; an organisation was set up to implement it; and tunneling was commenced. The official group

In my research I undertook through interviews and

overseeing the work tended to favour a totally

other investigations to find out as much as I could

underground metro, in contrast to the mixed metro

about this previous project in order to inform my

and rail layouts of other cities, such as Budapest,

own. I summarise the elements from this research

which were much less expensive to construct.

most relevant to the new design project I propose

However, following the drastic reduction of Russian

here.2

economic support, and then the collapse of the

The project began with feasibility studies and the

of the so-called “special period” in the years

Soviet Union in 1991 and the consequent devastation formulation of initial detailed plans, including the

following, all investment and implementation ceased,

proposed placement of stations, and essential

and the project abruptly went into limbo, where it

geological investigations. The general outline was

has remained to this day, despite some desultory and

based in part upon the Moscow metro

tentative suggestions it might be resumed.

What follows is based upon a transcript I prepared of these interviews.

Figure 8: Alternative layouts

Source: Integral Scheme of Urban Transport Development, 1983 46

3 Havana's metro initiatives

At my meetings with Ivan Urra Bravo and Marcos

Based upon my research I believe now is the

Rodriguez Bello I was shown and able to discuss in

appropriate time to pursue a further conversation

considerable detail the several alternative routes (and

about “the work of the century”, not least because,

locations of the proposed stations) that figured in the

increasingly, as I have pointed out earlier, foreign

earlier initiative, including the rationale for these,

investors value and look ambitiously to Havana, and

some of the problems encountered in terms of their

such a project could represent a significant

configuration, and the practical basis for decisions

opportunity for the city to develop.

Figure 9: Vedado and La Playa

and alternative choices. In fact, although of course the metro itself was never built, these deliberations

More specifically, over the next thirty years, I would

figured directly in the subsequent determination and

propose in the context of my project to build a metro

implementation of bus routes in Havana’s “Integral

system with 57 stations covering approximately 70km

Scheme of Urban Transport” many of which today

– similar to one of the plans proposed by the scheme

still replicate the proposed lines of the unrealised

of Urban Transport Development in the 1980s, as

underground system. In addition to such evidence on

Figure 10 depicts. In contrast to the preliminary ideas

the surface, my contacts noted that there were in

from the 1920s, urban planners in the later period

fact a great many “phantom” tunnels, particularly in

had then considered future population growth and

the area between the Vedado and the Playa (see

consequently extended the networks substantially.

Figure 9). They joked how in that regard, Havana somewhat resembled a Swiss cheese! Many of these

Based on

urban planning, economic factors, and

tunnels were initially constructed under the auspices

socio-cultural aspects, I argue that a public

and agency of the military, and remain under their

underground system is an appropriate project by

control and use.

means of which Havana may address some of the strategic concerns outlined above which are raised by the transition to a more market-based economy in progress or pending.

As I note earlier, my plans are informed in part by my discussions with Ivan Urra Bravo and Marcos Rodriguez Bello about various options, taking into account possible alternatives suggested by the current and likely future configuration of population, traffic flow, etc. in Havana

Figure 10: Distribution of 57 stations across Havana

Source: Author, based on Integral Scheme of Urban Transport Development of the City of Havana, 1983

3 Havana's metro initiatives

An undertaking as large as a metro in Havana offers

The continuing potency of such projects (even when

several

not yet defined or begun) is evident in the recent

socio-cultural

potential

benefits.

First,

assuming it will be a successful project, Cubans may

so-called “Trump Surge” in the American stock

derive pride and enhanced morale from this during a

market, at the mere prospect of extensive new public

period of great change and challenges. For instance,

works.

the Moscow underground system is among the most beautiful in the world and has long been a source of national pride among Russians and admiration by visitors (Jenks, 2000). Second, it engages and energizes the workforce. Third, such a project builds trust with foreign investors and more generally in government, and society. Moreover,

a major

infrastructure initiative like this would enable and encourage new types of skills and experience; also, as in the case any such initiative, it will have an inevitable and highly desirable “knock-on effect” for economic activity in general: i.e. workers will have money to buy goods, services, and employ other workers. Perhaps the most graphic and lasting example of this effect is the historic example of Franklin Roosevelt’s huge “New Deal” infrastructure programme in the 1930’s which helped hoist a nearly prostrate American economy and its workforce out of the Great Depression (Schlesinger, A. M., 2003).

Figure 11: Metro Stations, Moscow, Russia

Source: David Burdeny

4 Transport. Relevant examples

Throughout Latin America, the public transport

Due to its socialist history, it is very important both

system is organised along a broadly similar structure

symbolically and practically for Havana to maintain

(Pazos, 2016). In particular, private companies run

its social welfare system, including the provision of

bus services, whereas railways are publicly operated.

public goods; education, health, but also public

Although public investment in bus systems is scarce,

transport and housing. I therefore argue that the

these networks have become widespread and are the

public transport system prevalent in Latin America is

â&#x20AC;&#x153;main mode of transport within Latin American

not the appropriate solution for Cuba. Instead, I

citiesâ&#x20AC;?. Yet, these systems are often characterised by

believe that Bulgaria provides a good example to

inefficiency and excessive informality (Pazos, 2016).

illustrate potential alternatives.

The capital city of Colombia illustrates this: Bogota has yet to build a metro. So far, the city's politicians have favoured buses on grounds of significantly lower economic costs relative to a metro system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at least in

the

short

term.

However,

this

approach

unfavourably impacts the environment through noise and pollution. As a result, and due to congested traffic and political pressure, the city has started constructing a metro due to begin operation in 2022 (Buckley, 2016). Importantly, however, this will be an overground public transport system. Yet, I question the extent to which an overground is a solution that ameliorates living conditions in the city in the long run.

For

instance,

overground

still

remains

problematic in terms of noise, visual pollution, and space constraints (Buckley, 2016). Figure 12: Bogota, Colombia.

Source: Author, 2016

4 Transport. Relevant examples

From 1949 to 1991, Bulgaria was – under the

In short, while only a few countries and cities in Latin

leadership of the Soviet Union – part of the economic

America have built underground metros, Havana may

organisation Comecon. The government was heavily

still learn from their experiences. In particular, its

involved both in the planning and financing of the

planners need to ensure that the proposed solution is

metro, with initial discussions taking place in the early

guided by long-term concerns. Facing a somewhat

1960s (Fraszczyk, et al., 2014). Back then, there was

similar situation as Sofia in terms of its architecture

little need for the metro. Moreover, Sofia is one of

and history, Havana should therefore gradually build

the oldest cities in Europe and historical layers

beneath the city centre date back to antiquity,

Underground metros are extremely expensive but

underground

public

transport

system.

posing distinct challenges. Thus, work was only

cannot be avoided in the historical city centre which

actually undertaken in the late 1990s, with the

contains UNESCO designated sites. Outside of the

construction of their first line 6.5km (including five

inner-city areas, portions of the metro could be

stations) long. The Bulgarian government provided

constructed above ground. In terms of finance,

the initial funding, and the European Union later

however, the next sections will show that Havana has

subsidised the construction of the public transport

to look for this beyond its national borders.

system. Today, the length of the metro is 40km. In comparison to the population of Sofia – 1.26 million inhabitants – this is a very extensive underground network. Hence, Sofia provides a suggestive example where, in order to preserve historical architecture, planners have built an underground transport system and continue to extend it.

5 Possible costs for metro

From an economic perspective, although the most

Thus, I believe public transport – as a major

expensive, a metro system is the most efficient way

infrastructure initiative -- is the more pressing issue

of commuting (Costa, 1998). Especially for a country

and a metro is the best means to address the current

opening both its borders and policies to international

situation.

markets, an efficient transport system attracts businesses to settle down and expand in Havana,

In terms of urban planning, it is helpful to

allowing the efficient exchange of goods and services

acknowledge that the streets in Cuba “belong to the

at less cost. On the downside, house prices in close

people”. Contemporary Havana features relatively

proximity to the metro stations are likely to increase

little traffic, which allows Havanians to inhabit and

for the same previously mentioned reasons which

move through their streets safely – in marked

make the sites attractive (Capozza, et al., 2003). As a

contrast to many urban areas internationally. A metro

consequence, this may lead to local segregation and

system would enable the continuation – and indeed

an increase of inequality. The second part of my

the enhancement -- of this attractive ambiance. In

project, social housing, in turn, relates to and

this sense, an important defining quality of the city

undertakes to address this concern (see next

can be preserved. However, it also means that by

subsection). In addition, there remain questions in

travelling underground, certain aspects of city life are

regard to how productive investment in public

precluded

transport is likely to be in a developing country such

commuting workers.

from

observation

tourists

and

as Cuba (Fan, et al., 2016, p. 24-26). According to this study, other spending priorities for governments of emerging economies include health, education, or defence. Yet, the welfare state of Havana has over many years, and despite formidable obstacles, managed to ensure satisfying outcomes in these areas.

5 Possible costs for metro

The cost of public transport depends on multiple

Since the US is notorious for having expensive

factors. For instance, the level of productivity of the

infrastructure projects (e.g., because of safety

workforce (itself a function of education and

regulations), I suggest that Havana draws on its

technology) matters greatly. So do the level of

colonial history and cultural affinities with Spain. Over

corruption, the geological conditions of the site, the

recent years, Spanish cities have invested in various

choice and availability of material, or the size of

metro projects. For instance, Madrid recently built a

wagons used to transport it. For the on-going

41km long metro line (with 28 stations) at a mere

maintenance of public transport, once it is in place,

cost of USD 58 million per kilometre (The Atlantic,

other determinants are relevant. These include the

2011). Following from this, I estimate that in Havana,

dimensions of the tunnels and metro stations, the

number of platforms, peak level service frequency,

approximately USD 100m/km â&#x20AC;&#x201C; conditional on

toilet facilities, security, and air conditioning (Quddus,

drawing upon Spanish expertise. The total costs will

underground

system

can

built

for

et al., 2007). However, a full discussion of these

of course be determined by the specific details of the

concerns and the specific details that comprise them

project, i.e., the length of underground and

must be reserved for a later and more extensive

overground lines, respectively. It is most likely in this

investigation.

regard that only the city centre needs to be connected by underground public transport.

As a consequence of these determinants, there is substantial variation in estimates of the effective costs of the construction and maintenance of underground systems. Due to the lack of previous projects, and therefore a lack of experience, Havana will most likely need substantial external assistance from abroad.

5 Possible costs for metro

Initially, I propose 20km of underground lines

These partnerships are funded by different donor

(including 20 stations). Given the afore-mentioned

countries, but administered by the World Bank. Thus,

estimate, the costs of such provision would come to

recipient countries benefit from the vast expertise of

USD 2 billion. In the case of Madrid, the construction

the Bank staff. Figure 13 illustrates that the facility

of the metro line took little more than three years.

entails much more than financing. The GIF supports

Thus, they built, on average, 14km of metro per year.

the project along a wide range of processes, starting

Due to the unprecedented circumstances, one needs

from the specification of the project until the

to apply these figures cautiously to Havana. Thus, I

completion (Global Infrastructure Facility, 2016b).

suggest they aim to build 5km with five stations per year, meaning they could open the initial 20km of

Eligible projects include transport and thematic focus

metro four years after the start of construction. In the

areas emphasise sustainable solutions in terms of

following, I discuss three potential sources of funding.

their ecological impact, as well as enhancing connectivity and trade. In particular, one concern is

According to the preliminary estimates derived above, the

transport, including mass transit such as metro

Cuban government needs funding for USD 2bn related to

(Global Infrastructure Facility, 2016c). Thus, the

the public transport system. Note that not all of these expenses are incurred at one point. Instead, they are phased in over the years of the construction. In the following, I discuss three potential sources of funding. First, the World Bank operates the Global Infrastructure

World Bank would not provide financing for the temporary social housing. However, it could be an invaluable partner in realising the metro in Havana. Of course, infrastructure needs in emerging and

Facility (GIF) – “a global open platform that facilitates the

developing nations are very high in general (Global

preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure

Infrastructure Facility, 2016a, p. 11). Thus, it is not

public-private partnerships to enable mobilization of

clear to which extent Cuba would be considered.

private sector and institutional investor capital” (World

Figure 13: GIF

Bank, 2017).

Source: World Bank, 2017

5 Possible costs for metro

Second, Cuba could invite foreign investors or

In summary, I suggest that the metro system

corporations to build the public transport system or

proposed is the most appropriate and achievable

temporary social housing by marketing these rights.

solution in the given context, not only in terms of

In 2016, investment in global infrastructures reached

urban planning, but also from economic and

USD 413 billion, a new record (Financial Times, 2017).

socio-cultural considerations.

This is testimony to the large sums of money that a public transport project potentially attracts, and as I noted earlier, conditions in Cuba are likely to encourage international investment and indeed are already improving with the prospect of acceleration in the medium term. Third, the Cuban government may wish to modify the conditions of tourist visa cards to generate additional money. As per 2017, a Cuba tourist card costs USD 20 (Cubaism, 2017). Compare this with tourist visas for Brazil, which costs USD 160 for Americans (The Economist, 2013). However, I believe Cuba is not only well-advised to maintain their current structure; I suggest that it could increase the fee. In 2016, four million tourists visited Cuba (Cuba Business Report, 2017). Based on these figures, Cuba could generate additional revenue of USD 300 million if they were to increase their prices to USD 120 per tourist card.

6 Conditions of housing in Havana

After the revolution in 1959, numerous Americans

During all this time, one of the government’s

and wealthy Cubans emigrated abroad. The new

concerns was both the eradication of the urban

government under Fidel Castro took this opportunity

slums and more generally the simultaneous (and

to move vast amounts of people from slums

related) wish to keep in check the internal

(so-called barrior insalubres) to the – then empty

immigration to Havana. Unlike the rest of Latin

– prominent mansions in the city of Havana (Disch &

America, where rapid urbanisation increased massive

Brunken,

substantial

emigration from rural areas, Havana saw its

undertaking, because of its scale, fairly rapidly caused

population increase relatively modestly from 1.5

2007).

However,

this

a shortage of housing. As a result, the Cuban

million to 2.2 million. Yet, this came at a heavy price.

government expanded its construction of new

First, there was a decrease in absolute living space in

housing in and around the city centre. Crucially, in so

the city centre – in fact, population growth was

doing – unlike the rest of Latin America – Havana was

impacted by the housing shortage (Coyula &

able to eradicate its slums largely.

Hamberg, 2003). Second, and even more importantly, local citizens expanded housing illegally by virtue of

Responding to continuous demands in the 1970s, the

constructing new stories on the top of pre-existing

government

buildings. Figure 14 exemplifies this dangerous

decided

implement

analogous

urbanisation ideas which were widely prevalent and

enterprise by Havanians, desperate to increase their

practiced in eastern Europe, while applying their own

living space.

interpretation and adaption to local conditions. For example, they constructed a large housing project – known as Alamar – for over 100,000 inhabitants. In the 1980s, efforts to expand and build further neighbourhoods continued – until the Soviet Union withdrew support as it became preoccupied with its

Figure 14: Additional housing units on top of existing apartment building

own domestic issues (Disch & Brunken, 2007).

Source: Author

6 Conditions of housing in Havana

However, developments in the 1990s demonstrate that this solution was unsustainable. Buildings deteriorated because their structure could not hold the increased weight of additional stories. Although the worst units had disappeared or were repaired by 2000, 0.7 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or 4,064 units â&#x20AC;&#x201C; had collapsed in Havana, according to estimates by the National Housing Institute of Cuba (INV, 2000). Ironically, this resulted in new, empty land plots in the city centre, which the Cuban government was able to use in the 1990s. While the rate at which buildings collapse in Havana has now slowed down, it still continues. News outlets even from time to time report deaths caused by buildings which collapsed into streets (Flores, 2015).

6 Conditions of housing in Havana

Due to the severe economic crisis in the “special

Unless addressed in a timely fashion, this will have a

period” of the mid-1990s to which I earlier referred,

profoundly negative effect upon social cohesion and

which arose quite precipitously and with profoundly

the urban population’s general sense of wellbeing.

negative impact, from the very harmful loss of

Thus, Havana’s inhabitants will increasingly look for

essential support from the Soviet Union, net

housing at the outskirts of the city, which in turn will

domestic migration to Havana once again peaked. As

generate demand for transportation access to these

a result, the government introduced a new law in

areas.

1997, strictly regulating migration to the capital (Coyula & Hamberg, 2003). This regulation can be

Consequently, it is likely that the existing slums

understood as an alternative solution to the critical

(whose earlier size and growth had been curbed) will

housing shortage. Indeed, the latter situation is likely

drastically expand. Due to regulations limiting

to deteriorate even further in the future since

migration to Havana, its population grew only at a

tourism is rising rapidly in Havana, thereby

moderate pace due both to a low birth rate in the

incentivising people to move to the city to exploit

city, and a relatively high rate of emigration abroad

new business opportunities. In fact, rents and house

(Coyula & Hamberg, 2003). According to official

prices have already responded to these trends. Figure

statistics (ONE, 2001), it has actually decreased

15 depicts monthly rents of one-guest apartments for

slightly in recent years. Figure 16 compares the

8,000,000

May, 2017 in the city centre of Havana. These must

population over time in Havana and Bogota, as well

7,000,000

be viewed in comparison to the average monthly

as between Cuba and Colombia in general. However,

2,000,000

6,000,000

salary of USD 20.0: it becomes obvious that

the 2002 Census may reveal a larger than expected

1,000,000

5,000,000

Havanians

number of inhabitants, and as noted, current major

themselves

accommodation.

cannot

afford

such

Figure 15: Monthly rent for one-guest apartments in the city centre of Havana Source: Author, composed from airbnb.com 10,000,000 9,000,000

4,000,000 1981

1990

1997

2002

2005

2009

2012

1985

1990

1995

2000

changes are soon likely to lead to – possibly dramatic

Havana

Bogota

– increases.

According to the 2012 Havana's official census

Duncan Smith. "World City Populations 1950 - 2030"

2005

2010

2015

2005

2010

2015

50,000,000 45,000,000 11,000,000

40,000,000

10,000,000

35,000,000

Figure 16: compares the population over time in 9,000,000 1981 1990 1997 Havana and Bogota, as well as between Cuba Cuba and Colombia National Office of Statistics of Cuba. 74

30,000,000 2002

2005

2009

2012

1985

1990

1995

2000

Colombia UN estimates the 2015 revision of the World Population

7 Social housing: The need for reform

In mayor American cities housing costs are increasing

alone in their outrage that public money is being

and the lack of affordable social housing in city

doled out to the banks even as the destabilisation of

centres has increased social-economic inequality

economic life and the intensification of generalised

(Krivo, 2004). Many people in the workforce seek

social insecurity continues’’ (Brenner, et al., 2012) Figure 17: Sa Pobla Social Housing – Mallorca, Spain

housing in the outskirts of cities, leading to urban sprawl. By living farther out they have to spend more

The availability of affordable housing with reasonably

Image source:

time commuting and this in turn increases for them

convenient access to mass transit and linked to job

http://www.ripolltizon.com/proyectos/o--viviendas-sociales-en-sa-pobla/

the costs for transportation, and of course induces a

distribution, has become severely imbalanced in this

degree of stress. Well-located housing (accessible by

period of rapid regional urbanisation and growing

reasonably priced transportation) for the urban

density convergence (Cervero, R.,1989). From the

workforce could significantly improve the economic

perspective of recent design initiatives (see figure 17)

condition of individuals or their families: there is a

there is some improvement but it still seems evident

clear

link

between

jobs,

transportation,

and

that governmental agencies and developers see social housing as high risk, and are hesitant about spending

affordable housing .

money on innovative design (see figure 18). One ‘’The unfolding effects of the global economic recession

are

dramatically

intensifying

might argue (somewhat cynically) that in some cases

the

social housing is deliberately built to be unattractive

contradictions around which urban social movements

and with uncomfortably small rooms to help ensure

have been rallying, suddenly validating their claims

that people will be reluctant to settle or remain in

regarding the unsustainability and destructiveness of

such housing, and that it therefore does not compete

neoliberal forms of urbanisation. Cities across Europe,

with the private sector. (Kowaltowski, D. C., & Granja,

from London, Copenhagen, Paris, and Rome to

A. D., 2011).

Athens, reykjavik, Riga, and Kiev, have erupted in demonstrations,

strikes,

and

protests,

often

accompanied by violence. Youthful activists are not

Figure 18: Social housing in Southwark, London /

Image source: Getty Images

7 Social housing: The need for reform

This out-dated philosophy of deploying poor design for social housing is slowly changing and there are now interesting examples of good, and creative design but very often their location is still an issue. There is, it seems, a public perception that people who can’t afford to acquire housing within the private sector should not be enabled to occupy valuable building space in the city centre and should instead be moved to and maintained in the suburbs as housing of “last resort”. Zaha Hadid Architects director Patrik Schumacher went so far in his comments during a keynote speech at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin 2016 , to suggest that social housing and public spaces should be eradicated (Patrik Schumacher, 2016).

8 Constructing public transport and social housing together within one site; the importance of their interaction

8 Constructing public transport and social housing together within one site; the importance of their interaction In this thesis, I am arguing that the increased pressure

Thus,

on the public transport system caused by a reduction

addressed the population growth or immigration to

summarise,

the

Cuban

government

of restrictions to flows of goods, capital, and people is

Havana through different instruments. Early on, it

best addressed by building a new underground

constructed new buildings. As land became more

system. Indeed, as I detailed earlier, the Cuban

scarce, citizens started to build on top of existing

government already discussed, formulated, and

houses.

began to put into construction similar plans for a

unsustainable and led to structural collapses.

However,

1997,

the

constructions Cuban

were

metro in the 1980s. Simultaneously, I wish my design

Therefore,

proposals to

introduced a law to prevent people from urban areas

tackle the issue of an existing and

these

government

incipient housing shortage. I suggest the provision of

to relocate to Havana. Nonetheless, the transition to

modular social housing which is assembled on-site

a more open economy is likely to put further pressure

next to the metro stations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as opposed to the more

on the housing situation. A Unicef (2012) study

time-consuming and resource-intensive renovation of

suggests that by 2050, 83% of Cuba's population will

existing buildings, many of which are currently in

live in cities, thereby increasing demand for housing

serious decline. This project, i.e. the integration of a

substantially.

metro with modular social housing, allows for a pragmatic, rapid, and efficient solution to concerns

Taking this into account, I turn now to consider how I

arising from the recent and ongoing transitions within

might integrate and address the housing issue with

the Cuban society and economy. At the same time,

the proposed new work on the transport system. In

the proposed project pays due respect to the

particular, I am postulating the creation of permanent

historical legacy and architecture of Havana.

modular social housing provision within the new metro stations. This would be module-based housing which can be assembled on-site to respond to the existing and accelerating challenges immediately.

8 Constructing public transport and social housing together within one site; the importance of their interaction This project enables a period of transition not only

In terms of architecture, I consider it fundamental

for the government to build permanent housing for

that the permanent social housing be integrated with

citizens, but also to give citizens migrating from rural

the proposed new metro stations; moreover, any

areas the time to save money and improve their lives

design needs to be compatible with the environment

while being enabled to exploit new economic

of the city. Importantly, the social housing I propose

opportunities in the city. I envision that social housing

satisfies both criteria. There is evidence of strong

be provided free to young adults (aged 18-35) from

resistance to any unfettered development which

rural areas for a limited period of time. The eligible

might severely damage some of the most unique and

group of people should come from minorities, or be

admirable aspects of Cuban urban life. In particular,

unemployed, and/or without a university degree. For

them,

international consultant, local architect and author of

good

"A Master Plan for 21st Century Havana" emphasised,

opportunity to change their lives for the better, and

Cubans are determined not to become like Shanghai

prospering

international

markets

Havana would

opening present

up a

Julio

Cesar

Perez-Hernandez

(2016),

might also help to prevent or curtail the ever-present

or Dubai but rather wish to preserve their distinct

threat of youth alienation – and consequent

local culture. The concern is that although these are,

undesirable emigration -- during a period of “rising

of course, cities in their respective countries, through

expectations”.

the nature of their development, they no longer actually retain any truly indigenous connection to

I will explain in more detail why social housing within

them. They are not autochthonous: lacking any real

the metro stations is an appropriate solution to the

sense of belonging and thus, ironically, alien to the

concerns raised earlier from three perspectives:

very place they are. Good architecture draws deeply

architectural, economic, and socio-cultural.

on a country’s history and culture, and has the potential to provide a showcase of these for the world. In that sense, if done with sensitivity, this project allows the marketing of Havana to the world at a time when international interest is growing rapidly.

8 Constructing public transport and social housing together within one site; the importance of their interaction Economically, the construction of a metro site means

However, in the long-term, the integration of people

that the stations potentially become bustling areas of

from the outskirts is likely to create more sustainable

vibrant business due to their interconnectedness. In

and valuable benefits. For instance, allowing migrants

the short-term, the social housing itself might appear

– an important supplier of workforce – to live close to

to be an unprofitable undertaking because the

the metro stations caters to businesses in these

government could readily lease the land plots to

areas. For the workers themselves, it means that they

foreign investors in order quickly to generate more

live within an area with sufficient job opportunities

revenue. However, in the long-term, the integration

and are thus likely to be able to better their lives.

of people from the outskirts is likely to create more sustainable and valuable benefits. For instance,

In summary, this section has noted that the transition

allowing migrants – an important supplier of

to a market-based economy of Havana, and Cuba in

workforce – to live close to the metro stations caters

general, is likely to have severe implications for

to businesses in these areas. For the workers

economic and social life in Havana. This is primarily

themselves, it means that they live within an area

because of relationships with the US that could lead

with sufficient job opportunities and are thus likely to

to an influx of foreign investors, creating business

be able to better their lives.

opportunities which in turn attract workers from rural

Economically, the construction of a metro site means

planning, economic considerations and the likely

that the stations potentially become bustling areas of

impact on socio-cultural processes, I propose, as an

vibrant business due to their interconnectedness. In

integrated project, to build a metro system, as well as

the short-term, the social housing itself might appear

social housing within the city centre closely linked to

areas. With due regard to architecture and urban

to be an unprofitable undertaking because the

these metro stations. The composite project serves as

government could readily lease the land plots to

major, symbolic, highly visible and suggestive

foreign investors in order quickly to generate more

example of the desire to preserve aspects of the past,

revenue.

while addressing the challenge of a greatly changed future that the Cuban people now face.

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

In this section I will discuss in greater detail the nature of the existing site and the architectural and functional programme I am proposing. The main central train station in Havana was relocated to the south side of central Havana before the Capitol building was commissioned (see Figure 20). Prior to the Revolution, the Capitol building was occupied by the government and today it is the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. Next to it on the south side there is the Parque de la Fraternidad situated which was renamed and changed in 1927 to mark the 6th Pan-American conference. The name was to signify north and south American friendship. Throughout the park there are

Figure 19: Parque de la Fraternidad

scattered busts of American leaders. It was here that

source:

the main metro station was intended to be located,

http://www.umbrellatravel.com/cubablog/es/?p=567

in plans dating to 1983 (As detailed to me by Ivan Urra

Figure 20: Havana 1899- Map depicts where the train station was located prior to the commissioning of the Capitol building.

Source: http://www.gifex.com/cuba_maps/Havana_ Street_Pavements_Map_Cuba_1899_2.htm

Bravo, Ministry of Transportation)

The main central Train station in 1899 Parque de la Fraternidad

Relocated to the old arsenal grounds 92

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

Currently, the area around the park serves as the mayor bus hub for Havana. It is often busy and congested. It does not have any sun-shade structures, and unfortunately lacks any formal organisation between busses, collective taxis, rental cars (for tourists), and bicycle taxis. Passengers making use of this hub do not create queues physically but rather stand under trees to avoid the direct sun and any newly arrived aspiring passenger must ask who has been the last person before them to come, in order to determine their own place in the notional queue. Not surprisingly, this practice creates confusion and frequent arguments between passengers in the park when a bus arrives! Since the busses are very often overcrowded, no one wishes to lose their chance to get on it. This unsatisfactory situation could be alleviated in my proposal by implementing low rise housing along with businesses (planned market) over a metro line. One highly desirable complementary benefit of such development

would consist of

exploiting

the

opportunity for reorganising existing bus routes and stops to allow the provision of dedicated space for waiting bus passengers.

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines 1

Metro station in Parque de la Fraternidad

3 5

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

In my design proposal want to have regard not only

Functional design is not only for inhabitants but also

to the current physical context, but also to the

serves broader needs and aims. One of which is to

historical and (as I shall describe it) the social one.

create a habitable inner city area in which

Havana in the 1950s was one of the most innovative

functionality and visual attractiveness are combined.

cities in terms of its architecture. To cite a single

There is also a psychological element to raising the

example, the Edificio Focsa was a virtual city within

visual appeal as it is conducive to enhancing the

city: the tallest concrete structure in the world at the

wellbeing of inhabitants.

containing

400

apartments,

school,

supermarket, garages, and restaurants, it was a very

As a general principle, apart from its immediate

potent symbol of luxury. My proposal, while evoking

practical utility as a structure, or configuration of

quite different social and economic concerns of more

structures, designed to meet a range of particular

recent history, and conceived on a more modest

functional needs, the extended potential indirect

scale, might nevertheless also become a provocative

value of architecture should also be taken into

example of innovative architecture as well as serving

account in the conception and implementation of any

as a symbolic expression and consequence of that

design

history.

indisputably constitutes a vital element of marketing.

project.

For

example,

Edificio Focsa

time,

architecture

And, more particularly, in every area of tourism Havana might reclaim something of its earlier fame

taking place

by, for example, innovation in kinetic building forms

because of their novelty, buildings can substantially

in an urban environment, in part

which have the capacity to realize and demonstrate

contribute to such tourism by serving as a mayor

the value of architecture not only for creating spaces

motivator,

and structures which have an immediate utilitarian

contributing to their experience of a site .

bringing

visitors

and

substantially

function, as architecture, but also enjoy far greater social, cultural, and commercial potential.

Hotel Nacional

Edificio Focsa

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

This has been highlighted and controversially

In the light of this, I wish to argue that innovative

discussed as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bilbao Effectâ&#x20AC;? in respect to the

housing (of the sort which I am proposing), which

unprecedented success in Bilbao of the Guggenheim

certainly and very readily in terms of the business

museum, as a major driver of tourism. Obviously, an

sector and infrastructure system might be part of the

historical site always has the potential of being a

tourism industry, actually when properly conceived

tourist attraction, but beyond that, contemporary

and executed, has the potential to be far more than

architecture, strategically deployed, has been used as

that. I now want to consider this possiblity in greater

a particularly enchanting enhancement for tourism in

detail.

such cities as Berlin, Barcelona, and Paris (Specht, J., 2014).

Figure 21: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Source: https://www.guggenheim.org My project does of course focus upon the creation of permanent elements of what would constitute highly

In this regard, although it is certainly arguable that

important infrastructure: most obviously the metro

contemporary society is greatly conditioned by an

stations themselves. However, I wish to incorporate

infatuation with spectacle, it should be stressed that

into the proposed housing which, as I stressed earlier,

it is not by any means necessary to create Disneyland

is a crucial and integral part of the project, temporary

or Las Vegas. Architecture can be deployed in a more

elements which raise and seek to address important

modest, but still strikingly useful fashion (and often

questions about how to empower and incentivise

indirectly), to serve as an enhancement to tourism,

occupants so that they can outgrow the need to

for example by providing desirable or essential

remain in social housing. Migration to Havana

infrastructure. ''It is stated that the tourism industry

involves some of the most socially and economically

per se is not as crucial for innovations as the

marginalised segments of the Cuban population.

supplying and regulating sectors. Accordingly, policies aiming at innovation in tourism should not uniformly focus on the industry itself, but take into account the driving forces of other business sectors and the public sector.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;' (Hjalager, A. M., 2002).

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9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

There is a risk of creating an endless cycle of

What I propose is social housing in which, beyond

dependency out of which there is no escape when

simply

recent migrants to the city become trapped in the

accommodation, emigrants both receive training, and

external service provision that other actors (such as

also have immediate commercial access to markets

enjoying

the

provision

decent

the government) provide for them, rendering them

situated within or adjacent to the complex. The

unable to raise their social profile and acquire a

proposal is that social housing, training facilities, a

stable income. There is a moral obligation for

market, and the metro itself would all be present in

developers to keep this risk at bay, and therefore,

avoiding this pitfall has implications for design.

environment. After migrants accommodated, trained,

The history of many social housing projects in

â&#x20AC;&#x153;graduatedâ&#x20AC;? from their training, and earned sufficient

Western Europe and the United States (particularly

money, they would be both able (and possibly under

and

architecturally provided

and

functionally

commercial

integrated

opportunities

have

those undertaken in the 1960s and 70s) teaches us

the

that most projects neglect the role of attractive

appropriate assistance, to open or engage in their

design, choosing instead for a modest and sober style

own business elsewhere, and to rent somewhere

specific to the economically disadvantaged inner city

else, thus making space for further new migrants.

terms

their

tenancy

required),

with

area in which they are located. This is of course

This kind of entrepreneur training thing would be

understandable given that social housing must be

particularly

appropriate

those

cost-effective for the government and taxpayers who

housing/metro/training/commercial complexes which

provide the bulk of the financing. A different

I propose to locate in the highly populated areas of

philosophy is, however, possible and even desirable in

central Havana.

this case.

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9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

To summarise: the proposed metro-housing bloc

The

would serve an overall emancipatory function for

metro-housing bloc I propose are quite vulnerable

people

who

would

housed

the

recently migrated city dwellers. First, people are

and would particularly benefit from a degree of social

given a place to live and work in private and

policing provided by this dynamic circulation.

communal areas where they can exchange ideas,

Interlocking the metro station with commercial areas,

socialise, and learn from each other. Second, they are

located on different floors, enables a consistent

offered vocational training in specifically designated

interaction between visitors/travellers and occupants.

spaces within the complex. Moreover, portions of the

We may reasonably expect that this interaction will

space

and

provide a powerful threshold against the display of

entrepreneurial activities. The idea here is that

anti-social or disruptive behaviour, such that the

will

reserved

for

commercial

skills-training can be put to practice in a market-like

security of the building is not compromised.

environment, which local Havanans and tourists can

Providing safe, inspiring, and well-functioning social

visit. These commercial areas would occupy spaces

housing for immigrants has proven to be a difficult

within the complex that connect the platform of the

task in real life. For example, in social housing that

metro station with the exit. This will enable a regular

was designed by the young architectural firm

and sizeable flow of customers and sufficient

“5468796 Architecture” in Winnipeg’s (Canada)

commercial vibrancy. Instead of offering such

downtown where the majority of the community is

opportunities to established commercial giants,

comprised of immigrants, the inner communal spaces

migrants would be given the chance to showcase

in courtyards have become a convenient spot for

their newly acquired skills and practice their

drug users and local drinkers. One of reasons or this is

developing entrepreneurial abilities – ranging from

that it is hidden from the eyes of police, but a further

selling locally made produce to providing a variety

contributing factor may be that the apartments are

services.

extremely small, and families live in cramped and unsustainable conditions (Crime in the community, 2016).

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105

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

The nature of my proposal, where public spaces

The metro-housing bloc consists of four interlocked

would be of mixed use and display a high degree of

layers (see figure 22). From the bottom-up, the first

vibrant

activity by providing the metro, housing,

two levels are best classified as public spaces (a),

training facilities, and businesses within one complex,

designed to accommodate a high circulation of

would have a number of “knock-on” advantages

visitors, arriving from the external sphere. This

beyond just the immediate direct benefits of such

segment will include the metro station (d) and the

housing and businesses.

main areas devoted to commercial purposes. The

Among other things, the purpose and goal of good

harmonious and attractive living community for the

design is to be functionally useful and relevant to the

occupants,

environment in which the project is located. The

employment services, ‘class rooms’ reserved for

great variety of spaces in Havana make this an

educational and skill-training, laundry, and other

a c

a b

c b

d Figure 22: The metro-housing bloc

third level (b) provides facilities to support a including

wifi-spots,

youth

centre,

important point, suggesting that there would be a

communal areas. Closely located to this section, but

need for multiple designs to suit the different

inaccessible for visitors, are the housing units for the

locations of the metro-housing blocs. In this regard,

occupants (b). The final segment of the complex (top

generally there are roughly four broad possibilities in

floor) is also reserved for commercial purposes (a),

terms of the organisation of their structure:

which may include things like a roof-top terrace, restaurants, and food courts, run by the occupants themselves. This is a deliberate choice. Introducing a second commercial area on top of the complex, which is only accessible after a voyage through the

other levels, interlocks different functions and uses of

public spaces, and enables a dynamic circulation throughout the complex. Figure 23: Initial studies

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107

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

I am proposing that kinetic architectural elements be used for the lower portions of the market to be constructed in a park above the new metro lines. This market will incorporate elements where the capacity to rotate (without reducing the overall structural integrity) responds both

to the environmental

conditions and function, while also enhancing the housingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aesthetic qualities and maintaining a desirable and attractive transparency through the park.

Figure 24: Rotating rooms for a private building

Source: www.bumat.com

Moreover, the housing and market would serve as a highly desirable public sun-shading structure through the day; able to be configured dynamically to multiple positions. Such rotating spaces would also allow the occupants of the space to adapt to the ambient temperatures by opening rooms during daytime periods and turning them inwards during night.

However, the upper portions of my proposed design would be static which, while inspiring the idea of movement, would not themselves require actual movement in their design. The height of the proposed complex would be 6 stories, corresponding to that of the buildings currently in the adjacent areas.

108

Figure 25: Initial studies of movement

109

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

In one sense the potential for opening and closing the structures might be read as a reference or

architectural metaphor for current and (likely) continued conditions of political uncertainty . At the same time, as noted before, their rationale and the manner in which they would be used, provides not just a symbolic, but also a very pragmatic connection to the collectivist ethos which has long characterized the Cuban experience. In fact, the ideas informing it, and their proposed implementation, has clear historical affinities with even earlier enlightened and socially beneficial examples, such as the world-wide â&#x20AC;&#x153;garden cityâ&#x20AC;? movement of the early 20th Century. It can thus draw upon and evoke both strong national, and international antecedents. When opened, the building I am positing provides public access both to the spaces themselves and to commercial hubs. The structure is able to adapt to the functional needs of its users. The adjacent commercial space could be moderated in its degree of

formality according to residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desires. The

moveable, kinetic structures would be motorised.

Figure 26: Initial studies of movement 110

111

9 ''Hybrid'' design and possible planning outlines

The motorised turntables that the pods rest upon could be made by the German company Bumat, using a system that currently such things as theatre sets and car exhibitions also rely on. This type of house is named Sharifi-ha in Iran (pictures), deploying foldable balustrades that tilt up or down as the pods are being rotated, to accommodate the rotation. (SEE FIGURE) The structural spaces have been divided into nine blocks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3x3 with voids between them to ensure that when the units are rotated there is a good supply of light throughout the structures when the their spaces are opened. (SEE FIGURE) Bridges will be provided across the voids on the first level to connect the spaces, while in addition, external balconies will be provided which, when the units are opened up, will have foldable balustrades to allow rotation. Spaces between the voids would afford views to different rooms and floors on the ground level. The housing complex would be managed by non profit organisations or institutions and allocated on the basis of need. It might be managed by a registered private company (social landlords).

112

Figure 27: Initial studies of movement. Ground Floor

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10 Conclusion

114

115

10 Conclusion

Due to its colonial history, its US and Spanish

have

capitalist-driven

Regardless of the chosen solution, and across all

influence, and its unique political condition and social

over-development. In this thesis I argued how

undergone

rapid

professions, what is strikingly clear is that the

evolution following the Cuban Revolution, Cuba, and

investment in infrastructure might best address the

circumstances faced by Havana demand immediate

in particular, Havana, represents a rather “special

increased pressure on the public transport system

action to ensure a sustainable transition to a more

case” in terms of any proposed architectural

caused by a lifting of restrictions to the flow of goods,

open economic model for the Cuban people. The

initiative. It now faces distinct challenges as it

capital, and people. In addition, I tackled the related

challenge is acute and the time to address it is now.

undertakes the transition to a more open economy.

issue of a housing shortage by suggesting the

The moment is right to take up, once more, “the

This thesis has highlighted and addressed some of

construction of low-rise, modular, temporary social

Project of the Century”.

these. In particular, Havana’s history has had

housing which could be assembled on-site at the

profound implications for how the city dealt with its

metro stations. This, as opposed to the more

housing shortage over the past hundred years.

time-consuming and resource-intensive renovation of

Havana mainly expanded through additions – as

existing and possibly privately owned buildings in

opposed to complete replacements of the buildings,

decline. My proposed project, i.e. the integration of a

which is the preferred solution in most of the

metro with temporary social housing, the proposed

emerging world. As a result, it managed to preserve

metro-housing

its heritage.

emancipatory function for recently migrated city

bloc

would

serve

overall

dwellers. First, people are given a place to live and Today, the city is based on an American-Spanish grid

work in private and communal areas where they can

that combines regular city blocks with low rise

exchange ideas, socialise and learn from each other.

buildings. These have created a unique skyline,

Second, they are offered vocational training in

texture, rhythm, character, and scale. This low rise

specifically designated spaces within the complex.

urban environment, together with relatively low

Moreover, portions of the space will be reserved for

density, has given its inhabitants a special quality of

commercial and entrepreneurial activities allows for,

life (e.g., measured by rates of literacy, crime, and life

and hopefully enables, a pragmatic, rapid, and

expectancy) – which is usually missing in cities that

efficient solution to concerns arising from Cuba's transition to a more market-based economy.

116

117

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