Exploring Architectural and Cultural Heritage in Cuba

Over the past ten years and previously through the Center of Urban Development Studies at Harvard University I2UD staff has worked on preserving and rehabilitating historic districts around the world. This experience includes projects in Fez (Morocco), Tunis (Tunisia), Lublin (Poland), Baku (Azerbaijan), Cairo (Egypt), Jerusalem, Sintra (Portugal) and Damascus (Syria). Through its work in numerous UNESCO world heritage sites, the Institute has developed innovative approaches to undertake and finance housing renovations as part of broader urban interventions, including infrastructure improvements and the development of economic activities. Given worldwide difficulties in obtaining funds for the preservation and rehabilitation of non-monumental buildings, our unique approach has stressed cooperative interventions between residents and the public sector to finance both basic sanitary improvements and more extensive renovations.

I2UD is also a member of the core group of institutions in the Cultural Heritage and Development Network. Launched in January 1998 by UNESCO and the World Bank, this initiative aims to coordinate the activities of development aid organizations and international institutions involved in the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage. The Network has grown to include individual specialists and a broad range of institutions providing expert advice, technical assistance, and capacity building in the field of culture and development.

In recent years, the Institute has utilized its expertise in historic and cultural preservation to organize educational tours in collaboration with local partners. In 2012 and 2013 I2UD led educational exchanges to Cuba to discover its rich architectural, cultural and urban heritage and exchange experiences with local professionals.

The educational trips included guided tours and discussions of key historical and cultural sites with local architects and historians in Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Santiago. In addition to older landmarks the groups looked at the post-1960 social housing and the “new town” of Las Arboledas, a joint effort by Cuban and US architects and planners. Participants also met with key leaders in architectural heritage in Cuba, including members of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites). Check out our website to learn more about past and future travel opportunities.

I2UD hopes to build on existing local partnerships and continue to work in Cuba as it moves through political and economic changes which will have a profound impact on the future of its cities.