A Look at the Infrastructure, Politics and Society of Cuba

8/8/2014
APWA Congress 2014
People to People International Public Works
Delegation to Cuba – November 2013
PRESENTATION BY:
KIMBERLY ROBINETT, FE
CITIZEN AMBASSADOR
&
LARRY FREVERT, PE, PWLF
DELEGATION LEADER
A Look at the Infrastructure,
Politics and Society of Cuba
History of APWA and People to People Joint
Delegations
China 2005
India 2007
China 2009
Russia 2011
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Delegation to Cuba – November 2013
Delegation Objectives

Aging infrastructure, fiscal challenges and changing
workforce demographics are issues facing Public Works
Officials worldwide and a main focus of the American
Public Works Association.

This delegation will attempt to understand the challenge
and opportunities these issues cause for Public Works
Officials in Cuba. Exchanging ideas and best practices
with our Cuban public works colleagues will allow both
hosts and guests to benefit from our mutual professional
expertise.
Delegation Objectives

Site visits and discussions with public officials regarding
transportation, water and wastewater, solid waste disposal
and recycling and public utilities.

Preservation of historic structures and artifacts within the
public realm.

Funding sources utilized to provide basic public works services.

Objectives to deal with climate change issues and in
particular sea level rise.

Changing demographics of work force and how training is
provided to incoming employees.
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November 16, Air Travel – Miami to Havana
Cuba National Guide - Damián
Amistur Representative - Armando
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Getting Around Cuba – Amistur Bus (Luis,
Driver Extraordinaire)
Base of OperationsQuinta Avenida Hotel, Havana
Cuba
History
1492 – Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba
1868 - Ten years war
1895 - Cuban war of Independence
1959 – July 26th Movement
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Politics of Cuba

Pre 1959 Batista Regime

1959 Reform Laws

1960 US Embargo

1961 Declares a “Socialist Cuba”

Education

Healthcare

Construction of infrastructure

1961 Bay of Pigs

1965 Declares Cuban Communist Party

1991 Fall of Soviet Bloc
Economics - Centro de Estudios de la Economia Cubana

1990s shift in the economy resulted in four recent
economic eras in Cuba

Primary Economic Challenges:


Tourism

Havana is overpopulated

Two currencies

Losing the cream of the crop
Reform to improve the economy:

Reduced government subsidies

Introducing taxes

Cubans can buy and sell homes and cars

Self-employment & Co-ops for some state jobs
Professor Jorge Mario Sanchez
Cuba’s Economic Trends
1990-2000
Pre-1990
2006-2007
2000-2006
Current
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Potential Cuban Economic Driver - Oil
Cuba Today

Economic Reform

Citizens are allowed to travel overseas

Internet – very limited access

US Embargo

the “Cuban 5” & Alan Gross

Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)
Engineering

Union of National Architects and Engineers of
Construction in Cuba -UNAICC

Challenges


Aging infrastructure

Lack of resources

Geographical Location- Cuba vary susceptible to a wide
range of natural and manmade disasters

Water storage
3 Major Projects Currently in Havana

Almendares River Park

Havana Bay Clean-Up

Old Havana Restoration
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Roads & Highways

Road network of 70,229 miles including 18,533 miles of paved roads

The central highway (La Carretera Central)

Finished in 1931

706 miles for the length of the island

4 lane highway with some divided sections

Highest bridge in Cuba built in 1960

Soviets began implementation of a national highway system in 1970s
Almendares River Basin

The basin is about 1,730 acres

The focus of this restoration project is the final 5.9 miles of the river,
before it flows into the Straits of Florida

This portion of the river flows through 4 municipalities with more than
200,000 residents and several industries

Almendares River Park (Parque Metropolitano) Master Plan

Planting selections with special religious and social significance

Educate the public on the importance of the River

The project also included walking paths, 25 schools, restaurants, and
recreational features
Havana Bay Rehabilitation



Havana Harbor Water Quality Improvement Study

33 mile² area that includes 10 municipalities

9 major wastewater lines
The “Siphon”

Re-pumping Station

Self-Cleaning Bar Screens

Mainline to treatment plant east of the city
Upgrade Approach

1.1 mile collection system infrastructure

Chemical treatment processes for industrial & commercial areas

“Green” treatment processes for upper reaches of the harbor
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Historical Preservation in Old Havana

Old Havana Historian’s district is comprised of 214
hectares of Old Havana

Management strategies for preservation


Restore

Preserve the facade

Refurbish the inside to modern levels

Demolish
Profit Distribution

45% is reinvested the district

35% is put to work in social programs

20% is given back to the Central Government
Las Terrazas Project – A Biosphere
The Las Terrazas Project is a “biosphere” project of about
5,000 hectares (2,000 acres), where the government has
restored the land after decades of over-use


There are 3 elements to the project:

Men

Nature

History
Project success is evident in the San Juan River
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA)
Ms. Heminia Serrano Mendeź
CITMA Director
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Cuban Society - Convento de Nuestra Señora de Belén
Cuban Society - Núñez Jiménez
Foundation
Yociel Marrero Báez
Cuban Society - Street Party Sponsored by the CDR
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Cuban Society - The Children of
Havana
Cuban Society - Tour of Community
of Regla
Cuban Society - Walking Tour of
Old Havana
Welcome to
San
Francisco
Square!
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Cuban Society - El Patio de Pelegrin in Pinar del Rio
Senor Mario Pelegrín Pozo
Cuban Society - El Patio de Pelegrin in Pinar del Rio
“Congratulations and best wishes. What you are doing here will have a positive effect now and in the future.”
- People to People USA Delegation-November 2013
Cuban Society - Hotel Nacional
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Cuban Society - Cannon Blast at the San Carlos La
Cabana Fortress
Cuban Art - Fuster Project
Jose Fuster, “Picasso of the Caribbean” / “Neighborhood Genius”
Cuban Art - Fuster Project
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Cuban Art - Hamel Avenue Project
Salvador Gonzalez Rodriguez
Cuban Art - Fine Arts Museum of
Havana
Cuban Entertainment - Evening at Bueno Vista
Social Club
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Cuban Entertainment – First Free
Night in Havana
Cuban Entertainment – Second
Free Night in Havana
Cuban Food
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November 23, 2013 – Goodbye Cuba
Q&A
Kimberly Robinett
krobinett@trekkllc.com
Larry Frevert
lfrevert@trekkllc.com
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