Publications
Places to be young: The dispossession of public space in Old Havana
Touristification in Old Havana is driving unique gentrification patterns, displacing local youth from public spaces. Unlike traditional housing-led displacement, the Cuban state's preservation of social housing has shifted economic transitions to public areas like squares and streets, now dominated by tourist-serving businesses. This process, termed enclosure, dispossesses locals—especially youth—of leisure spaces due to rising costs beyond Cuban purchasing power. The study identifies three main processes: enclosure, sanitisation, and temporary appropriation, which exacerbate exclusion along race, class, and gender lines. Public space is critical for youth development in Old Havana, yet its loss reinforces social inequalities.
Dissatisfaction Responses of Tourists in the Havana World Heritage Site
A dominant factor in tourists' dissatisfaction with Old Havana is the management of hygiene, cleanliness, and crowding. This dissatisfaction significantly impacts both overall satisfaction with cultural trips and future revisitation intentions. The study employed a covariance-based structural equations model (CB-SEM) to analyze data from 1500 tourists, revealing that negative perceptions in these areas are critical for managers aiming to enhance tourist satisfaction and loyalty in cultural tourism contexts.
Tourism Refunctionalization of the Historical Center in Old Havana
Old Havana's historical center exhibits significant gentrification, driven by tourism refunctionalization following its 1982 UNESCO World Heritage designation and Cuba's 1993 focus on cultural tourism. This process has led to urban landscape renewal, displacement of low-income populations, the emergence of a Cuban middle class, and informal housing revaluation. The study, combining literature review, documentary research, and empirical analysis, highlights socio-spatial contradictions arising from commercialization pressures. These findings underscore the complex interplay between heritage preservation, tourism development, and social dynamics in UNESCO-listed sites.
Andrea Martínez Fernández, Old Havana: Community Participation, Gentrification and Inequality
A significant divide exists among residents of Old Havana regarding the benefits and challenges posed by its UNESCO World Heritage status. While some embrace the cultural, economic, and aesthetic advantages brought by mass tourism and restoration efforts, others express skepticism about the city's designation as a World Heritage Site, questioning how such a 'mess' can be recognized on a global scale while failing to address local needs. The study, conducted in 2016 through surveys and fieldwork by Havana’s Historian Office and the Complutense University of Madrid, highlights the tension between community participation in heritage management—long celebrated as a model—and the growing inequality exacerbated by gentrification. It reveals that despite locals' deep connection to their heritage, perceptions vary sharply based on personal experiences, underscoring the need for more inclusive approaches to balancing preservation with local priorities.
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.
Havana in the Atlantic World
Havana's strategic role in imperial trade and its extensive fortification system, shaped significantly by the British siege of 1762-1763, highlight its complex development as a cosmopolitan hub. The city's economic transformation, dominated first by sugar production and later by tourism, reflects its evolving global significance. Post-revolutionary policies in 1959 redirected resources away from Havana, leading to urban decline, while UNESCO recognition in 1982 spurred restoration efforts. Despite economic crises following the Soviet collapse and recent challenges like natural disasters and pandemics, Havana's historical layers—from colonial fortifications to modern infrastructure—remain a testament to its enduring influence as Cuba's political and cultural capital.
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