The built environment in contemporary old Havana: building systems in a historic district

A novel 'hybrid building system' has emerged in Old Havana, blending top-down and bottom-up approaches to urban development. This system integrates elements from both state-led and community-driven models, enabling resident empowerment while aligning with large-scale redevelopment goals. The study identifies three distinct building systems—top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid—that shape the built environment's configuration, labor organization, technologies used, financing, and regulatory compliance. Observing these dynamics post-Cold War, the research highlights how Cuba's shifting political and economic landscape influenced urban production, with the Community Architect Program serving as a key example of state appropriation of grassroots initiatives. This hybrid approach offers a balanced solution for preserving historic districts while meeting modern needs.

Valladares, Arturo. (2017). The built environment in contemporary old Havana: building systems in a historic district [McGill University]. https://doi.org/10.82308/6520