The Puerto Rico Builder’s Association, the Urban Land Institute (ULI-PR Chapter) and INTBAU Cuba invite you to the 11th Havana Urban Design Charrette to be held in Havana from 13-18 November 2016.
The 11th Havana International Charrette will focus on the harbour and will build on our previous work since 2007. International developers, businessmen, architects, planners, artists and people in general are invited to join Cuban experts and local communities for a one-week Charrette from 13-18 November 2016 to develop proposals for the regeneration and development of the future of Havana’s harbour.
The maximum amount of participants is 30 people. The subscription will work through a VIP invitation process on a first come first serve basis. In order to reserve a space as a participant, a non-refundable deposit before 15th August 2016 of $1,000.00 dollars will be required.
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 while focusing on the Havana harbour. 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 where humans can live in, work in and enjoy.
Project Objectives
• Interact with local experts who will lead important discussions about the building environment and business possibilities in Cuba.
• Visit and learn about the urban fabric and architecture of the City of Havana.
• To test and evaluate the ideas of ¨A Master Plan for 21st Century Havana¨ and their feasibility and implementation based on the city´s current needs.
• Elaborate ideas for the development of the waterfront sectors of the city’s harbour and urban infill in the surrounding areas
• Meet and interact with local students and individuals about the importance of reinforcing the cultural identity of the city of Havana.
• Promote an integrated vision between the natural condition and the built environment.
• Promote and highlight the importance of a long-term vision for Havana’s harbour that grants social and cultural diversity and integration.
• Evaluate the benefits of the transformation of Havana’s harbour in economic and urban terms to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants.
• Propose the increase of urban open space, housing and commerce around the harbour and evaluate their impact at city level.
• Turn the current dilapidated image of Havana’s harbour and surrounding districts into a contemporary and joyful one.
• Reshape the civic and urban landscape of Havana’s harbour and surrounding neighbourhoods by increasing the green areas.
The Charrette is designed for developers, investors, architects, planners and anyone with an interest in understanding business in Cuba its history, traditions and culture. The full Charrette program is included below.
What is a Charrette?
An especially intense workshop where people meet and work.
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 through its personal contribution and ideas and work.
The registration fee for international participants is $3,000.00 USD 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 air travel from Miami, Visa, studio equipment, transportation costs, venues, etc. This fee does not include hotel stay.
Travel
This is a high level educational trip. Every participant will receive an official Letter of Invitation from INTBAU UK. It will be used for the application for a visa to travel legally to Cuba.
Visas
Every international participant will need a visa to visit Cuba.
Airfare
For US participants, the cost of the airfare and visa are included in the registration cost. The flight to Havana will leave from Miami. All participants will have to arrange their own round trip to Miami.
Accommodation
The cost of accommodation is not included in the registration cost. We can, on request, help you arrange your accommodation and breakfast in a Casa Particular (rooms in private houses and apartments). The cost is $60.00 per night per room. Most of our participants at the previous Charrettes chose this option, although some preferred to arrange for their own accommodation in international hotels. We can make some suggestions if you prefer hotel accommodation.
Our previous Charrettes have brought together participants from Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Cuba, UK, USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Mexico among other countries.
The Organisers
The Charrette is organized by The Puerto Rico Builder’s Association, the Urban Land Institute (ULI-PR) and INTBAU Cuba.
INTBAU Cuba has successfully organized and led similar events since 2007, including the most recent one within the academic context of the INTBAU Annual Conference on Heritage in Havana (November 15-17, 2015).
Participating Cuban Experts
• Professor Architect & Urban Planner Julio César Pérez, CEU & INTBAU Cuba President. UNEAC, UNAICC, ICOMOS.
• Professor Juan Triana. Economist. University of Havana
• Architect & Urban Planner Joel Estevez, CEU, INTBAU
• Architect & Urban Planner Alexis de La Cruz, CEU, INTBAU
• Architect & Urban Planner Héctor Gómez, OHCH, CEU, INTBAU
• Architect Jorge Araguez, CEU, INTBAU
• Architect & Urban Planner Esteban Martinez, CEU, INTBAU, UNEAC, UNAICC
• Architect Alena Ferra, OHCH, CEU, INTBAU
Cuban Supporting Organizations
• Office of The Historian of the City of Havana, OHCH
• National Guild of Artists and Writers of Cuba, UNEAC
• National Guild of Architects and Engineers of Cuba, UNAICC
Participating International Experts
• Architect Ricardo Alvarez-Diaz, AIA, NCARB, CAAPPR – Co Founder- Alvarez-Diaz & Villalon, Co-Chair ULI-PR, ULI Full Member, ACPR President
• Architect Paul Whalen, AIA – Partner- Robert AM Stern Architects – ULI Member
Phase I – Professional Tour Program
Day 1. Sunday, 13 November, 2016. Hotel Nacional. El Vedado, Havana, Cuba
4.30 pm. Welcome. Remarks.
Arch. Ricardo Alvarez-Diaz (ACPR and ULI-PR).
Arch. Julio César Pérez-Hernandez, (INTBAU Cuba)
5.00-5.45 pm. Lecture: “Havana, a Glance at the Past, Present and Future”.
Julio César Pérez, President INTBAU Cuba. Author of “A Master Plan for 21st Century Havana”
6.15.8.15 pm. Dinner at outdoor restaurant Hotel Nacional
Day 2. Monday, 14 November, 2016. Havana’s history and urban evolution.
Morning Session. Walking Tour of Old Havana
9.00 am-12.00 pm. Morning Walking Tour. Meeting at Plaza de Armas.
12.15-2.00 pm Lunch on your own. Café del Oriente Restaurant. Plaza San Francisco de Asis.
Afternoon Session. The Walls district. Walking Tour.
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm. Afternoon Walking Tour. Meeting at statue of Jose Marti at the Parque Central.
Evening: Free.
Suggestions: Floridita Bar and Restaurant, Bodeguita del Medio, La Zorra y El Cuervo for Live Jazz Club on La Rampa in El Vedado, Nightclub at the Hotel Nacional, etc.
Day 3. Tuesday, 15 November, 2016. Learning about Modern Havana
Morning Session. Tour of El Vedado district.
9.00 am-12.00 pm. Morning Walking Tour. Meeting at University of Havana staircase
12.00-2.00 pm. Lunch on your own. There are many places to choose from.
Afternoon Session. El Vedado district. Bus Tour.
2.00- 4.30 pm. Bus Tour. Meeting place Hotel Habana Libre.
Evening: Free.
Phase II – Presentation Sessions and Charrette
Day 4. Wednesday, 16 November, 2016. Hotel Ambos Mundos. Old Havana.
Morning 9.00 am. Introduction by Julio César Pérez and Ricardo Alvarez-Diaz
9.15-9.45 am. Business in Cuba. Prof. Juan Triana. University of Havana
10.00-10.30 am. Old Havana. Architect Hector Gomez. Office of the Historian of Havana
10.30 -10.45 am. Questions and Answers
Break
11.00-11.30 pm. Real Estate in Cuba. Architect Joel Estevez. Real Estate Agency
11.30 -11.45 am. Questions and Answers
12.00-1.30 pm. Lunch on your own
Afternoon. Studio Work Session at the Venue. Hotel Ambos Mundos
1.30 -2.15 pm. Robert AM Stern in China – How development and design are reshaping China’s future. Architect Paul Whalen. RAMSA New York
2.30 pm. Presentation of working teams and Goals
2.30 -5.30 pm. Discussion of Preliminary Ideas and Proposals
Evening: Ceremony of the Foundation of Havana. El Templete. Plaza de Armas
Day 5. Thursday 17 November, 2016. Working Session.
Morning. 9.00 am. Studio Work. Pin-Ups Preliminary Ideas. Led by Professor Julio César Pérez9:15-9:45 am Lecture (TBD)
10.00 – 12.00 pm Studio Work
12.00- 1.30 pm Lunch on your own
Afternoon. Studio Work Session at the Venue. Hotel Ambos Mundos
1.30- 5.30 pm. Readjustment of Proposals.
Evening: Free
Day 6. Friday 18 November, 2016. Working Session. Led by Professor Julio César Pérez
Morning. 9.00 am. Studio Work.
12.00- 1.30 pm Lunch on your own
Afternoon. Studio Work Session at the Venue. Hotel Ambos Mundos
1.30- 5.30 pm Public Presentation and Discussion
5.30 pm Conclusions
6.00-7.00 PM Cocktail Reception
Day 7. Saturday, 19 November
Departure from Havana to Miami
Further Information
Please contact INTBAU Cuba Chair Julio Cesar Perez on jcaesar2010@gmail.com