Wednesday, 09 June 2010 22:28
Architecture of Havana
I ended the previous article on Havana architecture touching on the lasting American influence in the city, evident in the Central Train Station, the Hotel Sevilla Baltimore, or the offices of The National City Bank of New York, just to name a few.
During the presidency of Gerardo Machado (1925-1933), the American concepts of City Beautiful and the Regional Park Monument took hold, to transform Havana into an ideal tourist destination for foreigners, uniting newly developed neighborhoods on the west coast of the city, like the residential area of Miramar, with the eastern side of the city, areas like Old Havana, Vibora, el Cerro, Guanabacoa and Regla.
New housing construction also had a more American and less European feel, with broad galleries, and gardens in the entryway or on the side of homes. Cuban architects of the era were also influenced by Bauhaus, Walter Gropius and the famous Catalan architect Jose Luis Sert.
This all explains how, during the period between 1902 and 1958, Havana became a beautiful city, filled with parks and monuments, with excellent infrastructure, pleasant residential areas, and a reputation as one of the most beautiful capital cities in Latin America, or even the world.
Since the political events of 1959, there has been little architectural change, at least in Havana. The exceptions are the areas of Alamar, in East Havana, and San Agustin, in La Lisa, which have collections of housing blocks, with a sort of shoebox design. One expert snidely called them “more like beehives than residences fit for humans”. Their distinctive elements are their total lack of creativity and imagination.
I also must say that the architectural heritage of the city has not been preserved and maintained by the government, and there are many historic buildings in a sad state of decay. But this city is still full of can-do types and quixotic individuals who battle their own windmills, who have tried to do their part to preserve the historic heritage of Havana.
When you meet Havanans you’ll understand why this city will once again shine brightly: that is its inclination and its future.
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