By: Lilian Mendieta Sosa
In the current context, in which aspects of both the global and local scale influence, Cuba adopts a new Law on Natural Resources and the Environment – still a Draft Law – that contemplates a broad conception of areas such as air quality, waste treatment, consumption and production valuation; as well as an updated vision of climate change, the management of renewable sources, biodiversity, water and other transcendental issues to achieve sustainable development.
To achieve these goals, it is essential to integrate scientific and technological achievements with the traditional local knowledge of the population; in order to promote the direct participation of communities in the conception, development and improvement of production systems, including environmental education.
Taking into account this new legislation and the New Urban Agenda 2030, today in the Partial and Management Plan of the Cultural Heritage Zone of Humanity (ZPCH) of the Historic Center of Camagüey city the Environment variable is updated, with the objective of promoting a sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development.
How is the environmental dimension studied at the OHCC?
Taking into account the totalizing nature of the environment as a complex system of interrelationships between the physical-natural, socioeconomic and built subsystems, the analysis is assumed with a comprehensive and systemic approach (feedback) in the evaluation of impacts between the three subsystems already mentioned, as parts members of the Historic Urban Landscape.
This is, precisely, the approach of the environmental study that is carried out in the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city (OHCC), whose main indicators and variables are:
– Value: The tangible recognized on an urban scale by the Heritage Protection Zones, taking into account the centrality, urban fabric, landmarks. On a building scale, by the Degrees of Protection of the properties based on the architectural typology and the level of conservation. In addition to the intangible, by customs, traditions and ways of life.
– Urban and architectural transformations: They influence habitability conditions (fundamentally ventilation and natural lighting, spatiality, interior and urban greenery) -in close relationship with the urban climate.
– Identity materials and finishes: Clay and other environmentally sustainable materials.
– Air quality: noise, vibrations and pollutants generated by traffic and construction activities.
– Water quality: Includes the supply, in addition to underground and surface water, attending to the fluvial enclave of the city.
– Urban Biodiversity: Includes the green system and associated fauna.
– Risk and vulnerability: Natural -intense rains, floods, drought-; structural -referring to the type and state of the housing fund-; non-structural -type and state of urban infrastructure networks-; fire -due to the predominance of risk factors in the city services center-; sanitary – epidemiological situation.
– Urban control: With indicators related to food safety, waste management, among others.
What actions are implemented to improve environmental quality in the city?
Based on applied research and technological innovation, several projects have been carried out. Among the main ones are:
– Pedestrianization plan that contributes to improving air quality in spaces of patrimonial value, as well as promoting the externalization of services to diversify the offers to the population. In addition, it contributes to the displacement of high vehicular flows towards peripheral rings.
– Comprehensive urban rehabilitation in República, Maceo, Ignacio Agramonte and Independencia streets -the latter in plan.
– Project The City looks at its rivers, with significant benefits in its three areas of intervention.
– City I Live, City I Am Public Welfare Campaign, which included maintenance, sanitation, training, communication and citizen education actions.
– Rehabilitation of the Camagüey Necropolis, including the construction of an Interpretation Center.
– Railway Museum, a project that stimulates and integrates the environment.
– Creative and Cultural Industries Project to contribute to the revitalization of Camagüey’s cultural life as a promoter of local socioeconomic development, with the enhancement of its cultural heritage.
Much remains to be done, but to the extent that the city exhibits better environmental quality, the quality of life of its inhabitants and the enjoyment of the city will also benefit. Hence, the call to reflect on the social responsibility that each and every one of us who live here has.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
