CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HISTORIC URBAN AREAS

Preventive Conservation of Historic Urban Areas: Addressing Cultural Values and Socio-Economic Dynamics - A Case Study of the Vista Alegre District in Santiago de Cuba.

Various social and economic phenomena have influenced the decay of historic urban areas in Cuba, leading to a persistent demand for integrated new approaches that can contribute to their preservation. This academic research focused on the preventive conservation of built heritage as an emerging alternative for sustainable conservation actions. It aimed to identify the causes of decay in order to reduce adverse effects on authenticity and integrity. 

The research aimed to bring together the otherwise disconnected concepts of cultural values and socio-economic dynamics within the context of preventive conservation. It sought to determine their influence on the preservation of historic urban areas. Additionally, a theoretical and methodological contribution was made, primarily focusing on the stages of anamnesis and diagnosis in the preventive conservation cyclical framework. As a result, the preventive conservation framework (anamnesis, diagnosis, therapy, and control) was extended to encompass historic urban areas. Moreover, the DPSIR model (drivers, pressures, state, impact, response) was adapted to analyze the cause-effect relationship between the main concepts addressed. 

Extensive documentation of the urban and architectural features of the Vista Alegre District was essential for conducting all research tasks. Survey forms, photographic surveys, and the use of various ICT tools aided in gathering a significant volume of data related to the characteristics and condition of the district. This data was ultimately integrated into a GIS-based tool (geographic information system) to optimize information management activities and establish a platform for monitoring alterations. 

This research resulted in the attainment of a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) and positioned it within the network of  PRECOM3OS UNESCO Chair, thus furthering knowledge on preventive conservation. All actions were conducted under the umbrella and funding of the VLIR IUC-UO Program, established between the Council of Flemish Universities  (VLIR) and the Universidad de Oriente. Furthermore, this academic research received support from the VLIR North-South-South Project  “Latin American Axe on Preventive Conservation of Built Heritage”. This project was a collaboration between the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation, , affiliated with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven  (KU Leuven) in Belgium, and the University of Cuenca. 

THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ATLAS OF EASTERN CUBA

The Cultural Heritage Atlas of Eastern Cuba is an online digital tool currently under development. It aims to integrate the diverse expressions of cultural heritage in the five provinces of the region: Guantánamo, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Las Tunas. The tool utilizes free services provided by Google. It consists of two interconnected platforms: a website and a map, both accessible online.

The website serves as an inventory, featuring properties listed as World Heritage by UNESCO and National Monuments by the National Commission of Monuments. Additionally, it includes architectural pieces with notable aesthetic qualities, as identified by experts in the field. All records are displayed on an interactive map created using Quantum GIS, a free open-source software that facilitates visualization of the precise geographic locations of heritage properties.

As a thematic atlas, this tool incorporates images and text, offering general information about cultural assets. Furthermore, it provides links to external documents, legal texts, and publications for those seeking further reading on specific topics.