A Symbiotic Relation of Cooperative Social Housing and Dispersed Tourism in Havana Vieja: Development Model and Architectural Prototypes

A symbiotic model integrating cooperative social housing and dispersed tourism emerges as a viable solution to address Havana Vieja's dual crises: severe housing shortages, with up to 30% of the population awaiting housing provision, and rapid urban deterioration. This approach leverages Cuba's growing tourism sector by allowing individuals to transition from state employment to self-employment, enabling them to rent rooms to tourists. The model, developed through research-by-design involving local actors and data mining, proposes architectural prototypes that empower communities while regenerating the city center. It aims to balance urban, economic, and social challenges, offering a resilient path for Havana's future.

Borkowicz, I., Scheerlinck, K., & Schoonjans, Y. (2017). A SYMBIOTIC RELATION OF COOPERATIVE SOCIAL HOUSING AND DISPERSED TOURISM IN HAVANA VIEJA: DEVELOPMENT MODEL AND ARCHITECTURAL PROTOTYPES. Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning, 23(2), 31–40. https://doi.org/10.53700/jrap2322017_4