By: Lourdes Viamontes Cardoso

The conservation of buildings in historic centers is of great interest to preserve the heritage values ​​of a city. In recent years, in the Historic Center of Camagüey city, transformations have increased negatively at the façade level, with consequent loss of values ​​in its buildings; which shows the ignorance of urban regulations that they had to respect. This reality results in unfavorable visuals at an architectural and urban level.

Most frequent improper transformations

Expansions and divisions have originated in homes in the historic center of the city, generating growth in height of the buildings, as a search for solutions, in many cases without respecting the architectural style of the building. This has led to the transformation of the low profile, characteristic of the historic urban center of Camagüey.

Other problems that add to this phenomenon are the subdivisions of building units, inadequate modifications in alignments, the substitution of carpentry and blacksmith shops, violating proportions. Such are the cases of the opening of garage doors, also the incorporation of elements of bad taste, copied from other styles. As examples of the most “popular” negative tendencies, the insertion of balusters, caryatids, columns and capitals can be mentioned; that affect the fronts of facades and the visuals that are perceived throughout the urban grid.

Forms and different elements used, produce discordant, strange or ridiculous effects in buildings and their surroundings. Changes in the layout and rhythm of the original openings, as well as the use of the “P” door, prohibited in urban planning regulations, cause a loss of value in buildings that have endured despite having passed through different periods. Some of these inappropriate transformations have resulted in valuable exponents of an architectural style becoming unfortunate examples of inharmonious buildings.

Shared responsibility

The conservation of our heritage is in everyone’s hands. With the intention of carrying out any construction work, there is the Office of Guidance and Consultation for the Population of the Historic Center; whose premise is to guide, raise awareness and train. Before proceeding with an execution, the Urban Planning Regulations must be requested from the Municipal Directorate of Architecture and Urban Planning.

The urban regulations have precisely the mission of ordering and controlling the physical transformations in a determined territory, being of special compliance those that have been dictated for our historical center, which holds the condition of National Monument; and a substantial part of it, the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García