8th Havana International Charrette: Cuba, March 15-21, 2015

INTBAU Cuba and INTBAU Scandinavia in partnership with C.E.U. Norway And C.E.U. Cuba invite you to the 2015 Havana Urban Design Charrette.

The 2015 Havana International Charrette On Urban Design will build on our previous work from 2007-2014. International architects, planners, artists and people in general are invited to join cuban experts and local communities for a one-week Charrette from March 15-21, 2015 to develop proposals for the regeneration and development of the waterfront area of MIRAMAR.

The Charrette will fit both educational and professional purposes and will give participants an introduction to the history of Havana’s cultural heritage through close contact with its traditions, architecture and urbanism. The Charrette seeks the participation of individuals who share a respectful attitude to new interventions in historical contexts, and who value the creation of places humans can live in, work in and enjoy.

Project Objectives · Elaborate ideas for the development of the waterfront sectors of the district of Miramar. · Promote an integrated vision between the natural condition and the built environment. · Promote and highlight the importance of Miramar for the new image of Havana and for social and cultural integration. · Evaluate the benefits of the transformation of the district of Miramar for the future of Havana in economical and urban terms. · Improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the district of Miramar, preserving its image and getting advantage of its privilege site. · Propose the increase of urban open space, housing and commerce in the area and its impact at city level. · Turn the current dilapidated image of several parts of the district of Miramar into a contemporary and joyful one. · Reshape the urban landscape of an area currently dilapidated and lacking character by increasing the green areas. · Reinforce the cultural identity of the district of Miramar within the city of Havana.

The Charrette is designed for architects, planners, art historians, antiquarians, writers, students and anyone with an interest in the history, traditions and culture of Cuba. the full Charrette programme and a description of the MIRAMAR area are included at the bottom of this page.

Participants are responsible for their own travel to Cuba, accommodation and meals. We can assist with arranging accommodation for you, either in private apartments (casa particular) or in an international style hotel.

Our previous Charrettes have brought together participants from Cuba, UK, Us, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Argentina, Mexico and other countries. you can read reports on past Charrettes online on John Pilling's website and also the following websites: www.intbau.org http://intbau.org/urbanism-a-architecture/547-cuba-charrette-2014.html http://intbau.org/urbanism-a-architecture/546-cuba-study-tour-2014.html

Charrette A Charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers and others collaborate on a vision for development. it provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan.

Registration The registration fees for international participants =450.00 CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos), approx. USD $500 and its equivalent cost in other currencies like Euros and British Sterling Pounds. This is a mandatory registration fee that serves to exclusively cover expenses during the Charrette, such as studio equipment, transportation costs, and renting the venue and lunches.

A limited number of student scholarships to cover the registration fee are available. To apply, please contact Audun Engh on [email protected] .

Travel

Participants are asked to arrange their own travel to Havana. Airlines with connections from Europe include Air France, British Airways, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic (from London). There are also flights to Havana from the US (Miami, New York, LA, Tampa and other cities), Canada, Mexico, all countries in Europe, Australia and other Latin American countries.

Some ATMs can be found, but they are rare compared to other countries. No cards issued by US banks will work in Cuba. It is recommended to bring cash for the trip. Euros, UK Pounds and Dollars are accepted in any currency exchange shop. US Dollars will be subject to a 10% tax whenexchanged.

Visas You will need a visa to visit Cuba. Please contact your local Cuban embassy. A tourist visa will be the simplest to obtain. New regulations require you to submit the name of the hotel or the address and registration number of the Casa Particular when applying for a visa. We will provide you with this information with sufficient time if you prefer Casa Particular accommodation.

We can on request arrange Casa Particular (rooms in private houses and apartments) accommodation in the Vedado district for 50 CUC, Cuban Convertible Peso per night (approx, 55 $, 35 Euro, 30 £). This price is per room, single or double occupancy. Most of our participants at the previous Charrettes chose this option, although some preferred to arrange for their own accommodation. We can make some suggestions if you prefer hotel accommodation.

STUDY TOUR March 8-13, 2015 Preceding the Charrette, we will arrange a one-week Study Tour of Cuba, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Site Havana. You are welcome to register for one of the events, or both. for a detailed programme and more information on the 8-13 March tour please go the 2015 Cuba tour page.

US Participants We have had us participants for the previous tours and workshops. due to the us trade embargo, us citizens will have to travel under either a general or a specific license. for further information, please go to the website of the United States Department Of The Treasury Office Of Foreign Assets Control.

You may email us or contact one of the travel agencies listed below for additional information on licences.

. Abc Travel Agency in Miami, Florida · Common Ground Education & Travel Services in Cambridge- MA · Marazul - Www.Marazul.Com

You May Also Contact The Center for Constitutional Rights fn New York On [email protected] This E-Mail Address Is Being Protected From Spambots. You Need Javascript Enabled To View It For Free Legal Advice On Travel Regulations.

The Organizers The Charrette is organised by INTBAU Cuba and INTBAU Scandinavia, in partnership with the Academy of Urbanism (UK) and the Cuban and Norwegian Chapters of The Council for European Urbanism. We have organised similar events in several countries, including Norway, Germany, The UK, Romania and Italy. In September 2008 C.E.U. Norway organised The Third International C.E.U. Congress on Climate Change and Urban Design in Oslo, Norway.

Professor Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez is responsible for the academic and professional programme in Havana and the Cuban participation. He is a practicing architect and urban planner, professor and author and has been a visiting scholar and visiting professor at Harvard, Notre Dame and a speaker at many international conferences across Europe and has lectured widely in the USs, Europe, Canada, Bermuda, and Cuba. A Loeb Fellow at Harvard Graduate School Of Design 2001-2002 and an adjunct professor at the School of Architecture in Havana from 1998 to 2006, he is also the author of the major books “Inside Cuba”, published by Taschen in 2006 and of “Inside Havana" also published by Taschen in October 2011 and two forthcoming books about Cuban architecture and urbanism. as a practicing architect and urban planner he´s designed and built buildings in the us, Cuba and Spain. he's the author of "a master plan for 21st century Havana” registered at the library of congress in Washington dc for copyright and also of many articles edited by professional journals. Julio Cesar Perez leads and organizes the international Havana Charrette on urban planning and urban design every spring -since 2007 he is a member of the guild of writers and artists of cuba and the recipient of several international and national awards. his writings have been published in progressive planning, the journal of bio- urbanism, the new york times, Alinea Editrice, Arquitectura Cuba and Arquitectura y Urbanismo. Professor Pérez Hernández is the founding president of the Cuban Chapters of INTBAU and C.E.U.

Johnh.Pilling John H. Pilling, AIA has been an instructor at the boston architectural college since 1993. his studies, which focus on cities of Mexico and The Caribbean, Have Been Done With the Friendship at The Faculties af Architecture at Cujae in Havana And Campuses of Tec. De Monterrey (Itesm) In Guadalajara And Mexico City. He has travelled regularly To Cuba since 2001 to do research on its architecture and urban design. In addition to his academic work he practises full time in metropolitan Boston.

Audun Engh Oslo, Norway. Education in Law. Project Manager for Conferences, Workshops fnd Charrettes held in several countries, including The Climate Change and Urban Design Conference in Oslo, 2008, and INTBAU Scandinavia workshops in Transylvania, Romania. Member of The INTBAU College Of Chapters, Representing INTBAU Scandinavia. Board Member of CEU - Council for European Urbanism.

Participating Cuban Experts · Professor Architect & Urban Planner Julio César Pérez, UNEAC, CEU, INTBAU, ICOMOS. · Professor Architect And Urban Planner Esteban Martínez, CEU, INTBAU. · Architect Juan Carlos Toledo, CEU, INTBAU. · Architect Joel Estévez, CEU, INTBAU. · Architect Alexis De La Cruz, CEU, INTBAU. . Architect Héctor Gómez, OHCH, CEU, INTBAU.

Cuban Supporting Organizations · Office of The Historian of The City of Havana, OHCH · Uneac (National Union of Artists And Writers of Cuba) · Unaicc (National Union of Architects And Engineers of Cuba) · National Physical Planning Institute · Faculty of Architecture of Havana / CUJAE · Fundación El Hombre o La Naturaleza · Instituto Nacional de Geofísica y Astronomía

Further Information and Registration

Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez President INTBAU Cuba Chapter Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: (1) 574 343 6549 www.caesar-studio.net/wordpress

Audun Engh Secretary Intbau Scandinavia St Olavs Gate 9, N-0165 Oslo, Norway Tel: +47-92-62-26-26 Email: [email protected]

2015 Havana International Charrette Program. March 15-21, 2015 Led and organized by Professor Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez

Site of the 7th Havana International Charrette: Miramar waterfront. Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Old Havana, Cuba. The First Hotel Ernest Hemingway Stayed At In Havana.

Day 1. Sunday, 15 March. Evening Cocktail Reception

Welcome and Introduction by Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler; Director of The Office of The Historian of The City of Havana (to be confirmed), Prof. Julio César Pérez-Hernandez, Cuban ond Norwegian Chapters Of INTBAU, Audun Engh; Council for European Urbanism. Followed by a Buffet and Drinks Reception. Hotel Ambos Mundos. Mercaderes Street, Corner of Obispo. Old Havana. 5.30 pm.

Day 2. Monday, 16 March. Walking Tour Of The Site. . Led by Professor Julio César Pérez

Morning 9.00 am. Walking Tour of Miramar. Meeting at La Chorrera Fortress Malecón, 5th Ave. 12.30-1.45 pm Lunch on your own or at the venue. 2.00- 5.30 pm Lectures. Introductory Lecture by Professor Julio César Pérez:: Miramar General Introduction to the Charrette. Other Presentations To Be Announced Work in teams Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner of Obispo. Old Havana

Day 3. Tuesday, 17 March, 2015. Working Session

Morning 9.00 am. Studio. Work Session: Preliminary Ideas. Led by Professor Julio César Pérez Discussion of first Ideas and Proposals 12.30- 1.30 pm Lunch. Hotel Ambos Mundos. 1.30- 5.30 pm Afternoon Session. Studio Work at The Venue. Discussion and Organization for Presenting Preliminary Ideas. Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, Corner Of Obispo. Old Havana

Day 4. Wednesday, 18 March, 2015. Working Session

Morning. 9.00 am. Studio Work. Preliminary Ideas. Led By Prof. Julio Cesar Pérez-Hernandez Adjustment of Team Work according to training and affinity 12.30- 1.30 pm Lunch. Hotel Ambos Mundos. 1.30- 5.30 pm Afternoon Session. First Pin Ups Preliminary Ideas. Led by Prof. Julio Cesar Pérez-Hernandez Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner Of Obispo. Old Havana

Day 5. Thursday, 19 March. Working Session

Morning. 9.00 Am. Studio Work. Readjustment of Proposals. Led By Julio Cesar Pérez- Hernandez. Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner of Obispo. Old Havana. 12.30- 1.30 pm Lunch. Hotel Ambos Mundos. 1.30- 5.30 pm Afternoon Session. Work On Proposals & Organization of Final Public Presentation. Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner Of Obispo. Old Havana

6.30 -8.30 Pm. Reception At Norwegian Ambassador´s Private Residence (Confirmation Pending). Minimum Formal Attire Required

Day 6. Friday, 20 March. Work Preparation For Public Presentation And Discussion

Morning. 9.00 am. Studio Work. Final Proposals’ Readjustment And Organization Of Readjustment Public Presentation. Led by Professor Julio Cesar Pérez-Hernandez. 12.30- 1.30 pm Lunch. Hotel Ambos Mundos. 2.30- 5.30 pm. Afternoon Session. Studio Work. Preparation For Final Presentation. Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner Of Obispo. Old Havana

Day 7. Saturday, 21 March. Final Public Presentation And Conclusions

Morning. 9.30 am. Public Presentation For Miramar Waterfront. Led by Prof Julio César Pérez Introduction: Professor Julio César Pérez. Presentation: All Team Members Public Discussion Conclusions: Professor Julio César Pérez-Hernandez Venue: Hotel Ambos Mundos, Mercaderes Street, corner Of Obispo. Old Havana Lunch on your own Evening: Cuban Party (To Be Confirmed)

The Charrette Site, Miramar

During the first half of the 20th Century Havana was characterized by prosperity and splendor based on steady economic growth. the existing colonial urbanism was overtaken in terms of urban expansion and continuity, but failed at preserving the density and urban character of the city when it was bridged and sprawled towards the west after a strong us influence and low density trends based on the use of the automobile. by the third decade of the 20th Century Cuba was already inserted into the world economy and was the biggest producer of sugar and a most wanted turist destination. As a suburb, Miramar was approved in 1911 and planned by Columbia University graduate Leonardo Morales, one of the most talented cuban architects who teamed up with us architect william o´malley that emphasized order with a uniform rectangular grid influenced by Manhattan’s where Morales lived while receiving his architectural training. the grid was defined by tree-lined avenues along which the lots were laid out. the building’s frontage featured a setback for private gardens as in El Vedado, allowing for the primary separation between the public and the private realm which ensured privacy and created a very distinct streetscape that would be signed by the hierarchy of the street network where the 5th Avenue outstands. public space was provided by open space devoted to parks and gardens within the grid but unlike el vedado and centro habana miramar lacked a public promenade by the sea.

miramar. william o´malley, leonardo morales, 1911 clock tower on 5th ave. john h. duncan, 1920

Several fragmentations followed the initial project and extended Miramar further west. among them the country club park, designed by the us landscape architect sheffield a. arnold in 1914 with a winding grid with ample lots and abundant green influenced by both Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City and Frederick Law Olmsted’s City Beautiful movement where a lot of beautiful mansions and modern villas were erected between the late 1920s and late 1950s, including the world famous De Schulthess residence, currently the swiss ambassador´s residence with gardens by brazilian landscape dwesigner roberto burle- marx, and the Marianao Beach Amusement Park and Residencies by Santiago Rodríguez and Eduardo Prats with a picturesque layout which was not successful as only few buildings were built.

Miramar reached its full splendor between the late 1920s and the 1950s when the international price of sugar cane peaked at the time of the two world wars and beautiful eclectic mansions, private clubs, public buildings and freestanding apartment buildings and houses were built. the neighborhood’s image and environment also benefited from the proximity of the sea and the almendares river, its natural border with el vedado district, subject of the 2014 Charrette (1).

Havana’s current financial and administrative center is located in miramar, in the so-considered the geographic center of the district, named monte barrteo where international hotels have been buit along the past three decades and and also where the majority of the dipolomat´s residences and foreign embassies and they occupy existing mansions except for the russian embassy that was built from scratch in the 1980s.

google image proposal proposal

the almendares river, on the west of el vedado, was havana’s s econd settlement before the spanish decided to finally and definitely settle by the harbor and it is one of the city’s most important environmental assets. its banks are worth of being preserved and call for a sensitive project (2).

In Miramar scattered buildings from different periods is found, from eclectic italianate villas and private clubs to Art Déco and Streeamline Moderne style buildings from the 1930s and 1940s and outstanding modern apartment buildings and private homes.the nice scale of the district was altered and disrupted by the presence of tall buildings erected in the 1980s like the Russian Embassy, some international hotels of very banal design and doubteful taste and an akward office park —The Miramar Trade Center— built in the 1990s.

(1) There´s a proposal for this area in “A Master Plan for 21st Century Havana”. See also a more detailed and recent proposal for this area developed by Professor Julio Cesar Perez Hernandez

Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez, November 2014 Harvard University Loeb Fellow´02 Architect And Urban Planner Cel (574) 343 6549 www.caesar-studio.net/wordpress [email protected]

web site: www.intbau.org http://intbau.org/component/content/article/158-havana-charrette.html