Urban growth and dual tourist city in the Caribbean. Urbanization in the hinterlands of the tourist destinations of Varadero (Cuba) and Bávaro-Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

• Published in: Habitat international 2016-11, Vol.58, p.59-74
• Main Authors: González-Pérez, Jesús M., Remond-Roa, Ricardo, Rullan-Salamanca, Onofre, Vives-Miró, Sònia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0197-3975; 1873-5428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2016.09.007

The urbanization in of coastal tourist resorts in the Caribbean is produced by similar models, but their system of settlements and the inner structure of their urban hinterlands present several differences. This paper analyzes the different urban processes linked to two similar models of tourist growth in the hinterlands and the spaces of social reproduction of Varadero and Bávaro-Punta Cana. The existence of human settlements before the tourism development, their political systems (socialism and capitalism) and their spatial planning are key factors for urbanization and production of dual tourist city in those urban regions. •Different rhythms and characteristics of the urbanization process of urban spaces of Bávaro-Punta Cana and Varadero.•The spaces of production generate different rates of growth in the urban spaces of the tourist hinterland.•Tourism excludes and increases segregation and precariousness.•The contrasts between the tourist area and the urban space correspond to the dual tourist city model.•The differences in the spaces of reproduction in Varadero and Bávaro-Punta Cana are significant.