Rehabilitation and renovation of the historic centre of Pinar del Río (Cuba)

• Published in: Investigaciones geográficas 2008-01 (47), p.95
• Main Author: María de Jesús Laborí Capote
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Economic conditions; Economic development; Economics; Recovery; Rehabilitation; Tourism; Urbanism
• ISSN: 0213-4691; 1989-9890
• DOI: 10.14198/INGEO2008.47.05

The urban image of Pinar del Rio city, head of the province of the same name and most western province in Cuba, has deteriorated in recent years. The recovery of its historical center, carrier itself of elements which may be contradictory considering the means proposed for problems solution that, on one hand, there is the recovery of the Historical Center from the perspective of its heritage value, and on the other hand, given the difficult economic situation, it was decided to exploit the tourism for it’s objective establishment in functional value. But such a combination highlights the interest in rescuing the symbolic functionality, social, cultural and economic conditions which the genetic core of the city had, where there where concentrated and still being concentrated to the present day, thanks to its high centrality, the main functions, architectural and urban exponents of the city core. We combine the willing and positivist thoughts for the historic, hereditary and yet contemporary recovery of architecture and urbanism, the entry of tourism and strategic planning are implemented, both as reciprocal means dedicated to the rescue of the city and its economic development, considered basic necessities, given the possibilities offered by these in the recovery process, as it has been demonstrated in the successful example of the recovery of Old Havana.