Touristic Refunctionalization of the Historical Center of Old Havana

A significant gentrification process is underway in the historic center of Old Havana, driven by its 1982 UNESCO World Heritage designation and subsequent focus on cultural tourism. This study reveals how the area's international recognition and commercialization efforts have led to urban landscape renewal, displacement of low-income populations, and revaluation of housing—both formal and informal—while attracting Cuba's middle classes. Researchers analyzed bibliographic reviews, documentary evidence, and empirical data to uncover these socio-spatial transformations, highlighting the dual-edged impact of tourism on heritage preservation and social inequality.

Hernández González, M. K., & Duarte Paes, M. T. (2020). REFUNCIONALIZAÇÃO TURÍSTICA DO CENTRO HISTÓRICO DE HAVANA VELHA. Mercator, 19. https://doi.org/10.4215/rm2020.e19020