Report of the Fourth Havana Urban Design Charrette Conducted 22nd to the 27th of March, 2010 Cuban and Norwegian Chapters: CEU: Council for European Urbanism INTBAU: International Network for Traditional Building and Urbanism Report of the Fourth Havana Urban Design Charrette 22nd to the 27th of March, 2010 Charrette Organizers: CEU: Council for European Urbanism INTBAU: International Network for Traditional Building and Urbanism Charrette Partner: The Academy of Urbanism (UK and Ireland) Julio César Pérez Hernández Audun Engh John Pilling (Report Editor) Jana Milosovicova Report Date: March 20, 2011 Table of Contents Summary 1 Introduction 2 Study Areas 4 Process 8 Content of Briefings 10 Recommendations 18 Conclusions 36 Social Events 37 Notes 39 Photo by Jeffrey Heller Report of the Fourth Havana Urban Design Charrette Charrette Organizers: CEU: Council for European Urbanism INTBAU: International Network for Traditional Building and Urbanism Charrette Partner: The Academy of Urbanism (UK and Ireland) Report Date: March 20, 2011 Charrette Participants Special Thanks Peter Baird Mr. Jan Tore Holvik, Ambassador and Lisa Reeve Stearns, Giséle Bone Norwegian Embassy Nigel Bowen-Morris Chargé D’Affairs Caitlin Jones and Stephen Bradshaw Michael Covarrubas English Embassy Aliexis de la Cruz Jenny White, Secretary of Science and Culture from Tiziana Destino The British Council, Silvina Donnala Marco Giomini, Cultural Advisor of the Italian Embassy Carolyn Dwyer Harald Wisgirdatis, First Secretary and Counselor at Audun Engh the German Embassy Joel Estevez Office of the Historian of Old Havana Sergio Ferro Cisneros Union of Artists and Writers in Cuba Yanie Garcia Polo Union of Engineers and Architects of Construction in Cuba Héctor Gómez Adán The Faculty of Architecture, CUJAE Alix Gonzales Astencio Professor Mario Coyula Petra Havelska Professor Orestes del Castillo Jeffrey Heller Professor José Enruique Fornes Ethan Lacy Professor Angela Rojas Naomi Lane Esteban Martinez Hernández Jana Milosovicova Oriam Morales Avilés Carmen Perez de los Rios Julio César Pérez Hernández John Pilling Marien Rios Gina Rey Rodriques Monica Santos Mónica Soffi Diaz Juan Carlos Toledo Stepehn Waite Tour Participants Steve Mouzon Elisabeth Steira PROPOSAL Summary Proposal for Ciudad Camilo Cienfuegos The Cuban and Scandinavian chapters Alturas de Casa Blanca is proposed Cojímar was a beach destination in of INTBAU and CEU, in partnership with as a set of low density residential recent history before the Cojímar river the Academy of Urbanism (UK), conducted neighborhoods with an arrangement of became polluted. Proposed remediation the fourth International Havana Urban blocks and buildings which maintain a and sanitation improvements would result Design Charrette from the 22nd to the 27th relationship with the surrounding points in a cleaner river and harbour for Cojímar of March, 2010. This charrette focused of interest - landmarks such as El Morro so it can build on its existing importance on the area of East Havana lying between and La Cabaña, the national meterological as a leisure destination and fishing the Morro Castle and the fishing village of station, and the officer’s housing district. village heritage assocated with Ernest Cojimar about six kilometers to the east. Recomendations for Ciudad Camilo Hemingway. The historic center should All four charettes have built on Cienfuegos called for be restored using recognized preservation the principles and proposals of “The - Creating a ‘monumental interchange’ guidelines. Masterplan for XXI Century Havana” gateway; UK urban designer Peter Baird authored by Cuban Architect Julio - Breaking up the superblock with a describes the results of the 2010 Havana César Pérez Henandez and his team of logical layout grid; Urban Design Charrette: Cuban architects. The charrette process - A general development parameter “For the continued development of the consisted of on-site studies, including of four storeys for new buildings with Havana XXI Century masterplan, the interviews with residents of Ciudad Camilo potential for five storeys on corner plots charette provides a regular injection of Cienfuegos; briefings by Cuban and or where buildings terminate; new perspectives and new opinions on the International experts; design studies; and - A tranquil and natural environment future of the city, which can be challenged four sets of design recommendations. (Green Network) and discussed further once the charette A transit workshop at the beginning of - A new seafront generator; and A great/ is over. As Julio Cesar says, it is a work of the charrette concluded with a proposal for living community. love, but one that will hopefully one day a light rail line extending around Havana The Habanamar proposal envisioned have a positive bearing on the future of an Harbour and crossing under the Harbour Cojímar, Habanamar, and Ciudad already complex and beautiful city.”1 entrance between Habana del Este and La Camilo Cienfuegos being linked by a Habana Vieja. The transit proposal was major boulevard which parallels the used in the recomendations for each study Via Monumental. The grid of blocks in area. Habanamar will align with the axis of the spine boulevard. The proposal calls for a 20 meter green buffer zone along the coastline and a marketplace and plaza between the Estadio Panamericano and the spine boulevard. 2010 Havana Urban Design Charrette Photo by Audun Engh Introduction The 2010 International Havana Urban Design Charrette was the fourth, annual event devoted to proposals for the regeneration and development of Havana Harbour, its waterfront, and surrounding communities. The charrette attracted more than 35 professionals and students interested in the future of Havana’s urban design. These experts; from Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States; built on the work from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 charrettes. The results of work from previous years are proposals for the regeneration and development of Havana Harbour, its waterfront in Old Havana, and the marine communities of Atares, Regla, and Casablanca. Cuban Architect Julio César Pérez Hernández and Norwegian legal advisor Audun Engh came up with the idea of the Charrettes while attending several European urban design conferences The principles of the Masterplan are The masterplan, according to architect together in 2005 and 2006. Originally, summarized in “A Vision for the XXI Perez Hernandez “proposes a respectful the events were sponsored by the Cuban Century” portion of the document. attitude to new interventions in historical and Norwegian Chapters of the Council “The Plan is based upon some key contexts, and values the creation of places for European Urbanism (CEU). As the concepts, listed here below and further where human beings can live, work and process has evolved, the Cuban and developed in detail: enjoy: a contemporary city that respects Scandinavian Chapters of the International 1. Waterfront Revitalization - A and values tradition, order and urbanity, Network for Traditional Building and waterfront defines a city and honors the culture of cities.” 2 Urbanism (INTBAU) co-sponsored the 2. Reinforcement of the Polycentric The focus of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 work, and the Academy of Urbanism Structure. We assess the importance Charettes was Havana Harbour and the became a partner. of centers for urban life communities comprising its waterfront. Peter Baird, one of the members of 3. New Public Transport System. The 2010 Charrette changed the study the 2010 team summarized the reasons People need to rely on a public area to the portion of East Havana lying for his participation in this event and a transportation system, rather than cars. between the Morro Castle and the fishing previous one. “Some cities in the world, 4. Infrastructure Upgrading. village of Cojimar about six kilometers to through the combination of culture climate, Infrastructure needs to be upgraded the east of the Morro Castle. art and architecture, evoke strong feelings according to modern technology of passion in all who visit. One such city 5. New Urban Image. The city needs 2010 Charrete Subject: East Havana is Havana, Cuba - “Key to the New World a new image that speaks for its Architect Perez Hernandez explains the and Rampart of the West Indies”. The regeneration and vitality reason for expanding the areas of urban opportunity, therefore, to immerse yourself 6. Increase of Public Space. Life is design studies beyond Havana Harbour to in such a great city through an urban vibrant on streets, squares, and parks East Havana. design charette is an exciting prospect and allows for human exchange “The East Havana Waterfront Sector is and a challenge I undertook twice as part 7. Mixed Use. New neighborhoods share one of the most relevant in the Waterfront of the Masterplan for XXI Century Havana different uses as the model provided by Redevelopment Concept of the Master charette.” the traditional city. Plan for 21st Century Havana. Its proximity All four charettes have built on 8. Social and Cultural integration. to the harbor and vacant land makes the principles and proposals of The People should be able to freely work, it very appealing for potential future Masterplan for XXI Century Havana” relax, enjoy, and interact. development. authored by Cuban Architect Julio César 9. Revitalization of the ‘Calzadas’ and Since its very foundation Havana’s Pérez Henandez with the help of his team thoroughfares. Commercial axes