As part of a so-called "revolutionary" transformation, Havana's government has taken an unusual approach to its sanitation campaign by sealing off the ground floors of a building on the brink of collapse, where trash had been piling up. This version of revolutionary engineering in Central Havana suggests that when a building is about to crumble, the answer is to close the lower levels and brace for the worst.
Despite the precarious nature of the building, the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Central Havana shared photos of the changes with this optimistic message: "The corner of San Miguel and Belascoaín, district #50, Popular Council Dragones, is being transformed." The post continues, "The ground floors of the old, uninhabitable building, which was causing social disorder and generating a large amount of solid waste, are now closed."
According to the Central Havana government, this is a response to public complaints, referring to the site as a former dumping ground. "In the past, it was handled with manual resources, but mechanical intervention was necessary," the post explains. "Starting today, it will be a clean corner, with new trash bins installed," the message concludes, with a hint of irony.
The so-called "transformed" building has been at risk of collapse for years, as reported by local residents since 2020. Last September, a Facebook user, Carlos Espinosa Betancourt, shared a shocking post in the group Maravilloso Malecón, describing the scene as "apocalyptic" and likening it to a "zombie" setting. Photographer Marta Rojas further highlighted the extent of neglect through her impactful images.
Ongoing Crisis Ignored
The dangerous conditions have persisted for several years, with time only exacerbating the threat. Piles of garbage, debris, and structural decay render the building a potential death trap, visible to all yet ignored by local authorities.
This issue has been ongoing since February 2020 when the state-run press echoed a complaint by Elvira López Pena. She wrote to Juventud Rebelde's Acuse de Recibo section, voicing her concerns about the building's hazardous state, which poses a threat to pedestrians and vehicles passing by.
"Buses like routes P9 and P6, as well as heavy trucks, travel along Belascoaín, causing the street to vibrate," she noted, expressing her worry about the danger this presents. It's important to recall the tragic incident in 2020 when three children, aged 10 to 11, lost their lives after a balcony collapsed on them at the intersection of Revillagigedo and Vives streets in the Jesús María neighborhood. This event deeply affected not only the local community but also Cubans both on and off the island.
Central Havana's Urban Decay: Questions and Answers
What is the government's response to the collapsing building in Central Havana?
The government has closed the ground floors of the building to address public complaints and prevent social disorder and waste accumulation. However, this action has been criticized as insufficient given the building's continued risk of collapse.
Why is the building in Central Havana at risk of collapse?
The building suffers from severe structural decay, compounded by years of neglect, garbage accumulation, and debris. These factors have made it a hazardous structure, likened to a death trap by local observers.
How have local residents reacted to the situation?
Residents have been vocal about their concerns, with some describing the scene as apocalyptic and drawing attention to the risk of collapse through social media and local press.