Aktuelle stadt- und landschaftsökologische Probleme in Havanna und Lösungsansätze durch staatliche Raumordnung, Umweltpolitik bzw. kommunale Partizipation

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and since the start of the
economic crisis in Cuba (Periodo Especial), an increase in the
variety of ecological problems has been registered concentrating
primarily nowadays on the Cuban capital Havana. In conjunction with
the aforementioned political and economical situation, Havana
became the most important migration centre in Cuba since the
beginning of the 90´s. This particular thesis will focus on the
analysis of current urban-ecological and landscape-ecological
problems in Havana (urban development, water supply and sewage
disposal, waste disposal and waste sites, green spaces,
agriculture). Solutions proposed by the relevant participants from
the sectors planning, environmental politics and local municipality
(IPF, DPFF, CITMA, GDIC, TTIB) will be complemented in each case
with feasible realistic oriented recommendations made by the
author. The primary focus of this thesis addresses the relationship
between physical-geographical and social-geographical interacting
complexes in the examination area whereby the author has chosen an
integrative interdisciplinary approach. Several years of field work
research in Havana has served as basis for this research. Within
the scope of characterising the physical geographical environment
(climate, geology, geomorphology, soil, hydrology, vegetation), the
fundamentals associated with ecological degradation were first
identified. Havana’s historical urban development and the decisive
phases in its historical development (colonialism, republican
phase, socialism) were genetically analysed in order to understand
the historical background and association with existing problems.
In order to understand the approach i.e. possibilities of
interventional activities and dealings of Cuban planning
authorities in Havana, the author presents new structures
respective stakeholders of reorganised urban development,
environmental policy and municipal participation. In addressing the
issue of urban renewal and problem analysis (infrastructure,
foundation of buildings etc.) constructional deficits will be
identified focussing on colonial, republican and socialist
districts in Havana. A main focus of attention in this thesis is
the analysis of Cuban standards (Accesoria, Barrio Insalubre,
Bohio, Ciudadela, Cuarteria, Pasaje, Solar) in which an exemplary
situation of urban squatters will be depicted (Barrios Insalubres).
The negative consequences evolving from the Periodo Especial will
be addressed, similarly opportunities resulting from economical
transformation (real estate investment, renovation model Habana
Vieja etc.). In connection with this, the author assesses the
difficulties facing the drinking water supply and waste water
disposal in Havana (problems relating to infrastructural supply,
water supply, effects on private households, on state owned public
waters, on the Gulf of Mexico, surface water and ground water
contamination, flooding etc). In respect of waste disposal i.e.
waste deposition the main difficulties arise with the safekeeping,
treatment and disposal of household waste. These problems pose
major health and hygiene risks for the concerned population. With
respect to Havana’s “green spaces” problem, characteristically
features respective in residential areas, industrial areas and
areas at degraded river banks and state initiated (forestation)
programmes will be presented. Similarly, the author will propose
recommendations aimed at substantial development respective “green
spaces planning” (improvement of micro climatic aspects, increase
in standard of living, occupational political effects etc.). The
conclusion of the problem analysis focuses on the ecological
difficulties of the agricultural sector in Havana (sugarcane,
pastoral grazing i.e. urban agricultural programmes). Based on
representative examples of the most important organisational
structures (UBPC, CCS, CPA, Organoponicos, private farmers) these
problems will be highlighted (site selection, drainage of
contaminated water, soil quality, soil erosion). Programmes of
action proposed by the author proposing periphery urban agriculture
in Havana mark the conclusion of this chapter wrapping up the
complex themes relevant to agriculture (institutions, ecology,
economy, social aspects). The conclusion of the thesis focuses on
the renaturation of an illegal waste site situated in the west of
the Havana city province in which the author and his fellow Cuban
colleagues not only developed a renaturation concept for this
project but were also involved in all measures associated with it.
The ecological problems identified on site mainly concern the
inhabitants of the surrounding Barrios Insalubres, whereby the
extension of the inner urban protected areas has contributed to an
improved social, cultural and economical situation for the
population. The author’s intense and close cooperation with
relevant Cuban stakeholders from the fields of science, politics,
administration, the service sector, planning authorities and local
population proved indispensable for the success of the applied
oriented approach taken here.