La vivienda en La Habana Vieja. Desarrollo histórico, problemática actual y programas en curso

Abstract

The domestic architecture of Old Havana, a key aspect of its urban image, presents a variety of problems fundamentally associated with typological characteristics of the traditional house with courtyard and its development over more than four centuries of history. In spite of housing problems in the city as a whole and the fact that the oldest central areas are overcrowded and in a state of deterioration, Old Havana retains high heritage values, provided principally by its architecture, its urban ambience and its vitality. The comprehensiveness of the restoration program in the Historic Center which has been made possible by a new administration model, has led to the incorporation of diverse programs focusing on housing. These form part of an attempt to meet the challenge of preserving the residential nature of the area while at the same time providing decent and comfortable housing.