The office for Cuba (based in Mexico City) works on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda at national and local level.

Challenges

Cuba has a 77 per cent of urban population. Urban land occupies approximately 1.16 per cent of the country's surface, with a tendency to increase slowly due to the policy of city compaction and protection of land resources.

The Human Development Index (HDI) places Cuba in the 68th place in the world, according to 2015 data, located within the group of developed countries. However, by analyzing the three sub-indices that make up the HDI, Cuba is in good position in terms of health and education (positions 34 and 48, respectively), but falls in the GDP per capita (position 116). 

The population of Cuba remains practically constant since the beginning of the 21st century.

 

Country Beneficiaries

“There is no doubt that the technical assistance of UN-Habitat has helped us to form a collective and participatory team that has committed to the implementation of the NUA in Cuba.”

Samuel Rodiles Planas, President of the Institute of Physical Planning of Cuba

Donors

Switzerland
Spain
  • Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 1,318,221
  • Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 3 projects
  • Main donors: Spain, COSUDE (Swiss Agency) and the NGO Volver a la Gente.
  • Implementing partners: national and local governments, governmental and legislative institutions, universities and civil society organization

With the ongoing changes in the housing sector in Cuba UN-Habitat has carried out activities in the housing sector in Pinar del Rio, Holguín and LasTunas.

General information

Capital: Havana

Major cities: Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Holguín, Santa Clara, Guantánamo, Bayamo

UN-Habitat projects in Cuba

Contribution to the Systematization of Housing Recuperation Experience in 3 Provinces in Cuba

  • Duration: 3 years (Nov 2009 - Dec 2012)
  • Value: US$ 270,162
  • Donor: Spain
  • Location: Pinar del Rio, Holguín and Las Tunas
  • Implementing partners: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), National Housing Institute (INV), AECID, INV municipal and provincial offices, social construction brigades,the National Civil Defense general staff

Cuba-Colombia South-South Cooperation: Improving citizen capacities in their participation in climate change adoption processes and risk reduction in Columbia and Cuba

Improving citizen capacities in their participation in climate change adoption processes and risk reduction in Columbia and Cuba

  • Duration: 2.5 years (Jun 2011 - Dec 2013)
  • Value: US$ 294,607
  • Donor: Corporacion Volver a la Gente
  • Location: Bayamo, Bartolomé Masó, Holguín, Mayarí, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos and Cruces.
  • Implementing partners: Corporacion Volver a la Gente, National Housing Institute (INV), Physical Planning Institute (IPF), National Assembly and eight municipalities (Popular councils), Municipality delegations of environment (CITMA), Comprehensive Development of Havana City Group (GDIC), Universities and Research Center, MANUD, UNDP

Support to transformations of the Housing Sector in Cuba

To contribute to the transformation of the housing sector in Cuba through the policy, cognitive, technical, normative and financial support to the integral and sustainable management model of habitat in the housing process.

  • Duration: 5 years (Jun 2012 to May 2017)
  • Value: US$ 753,452
  • Donor: COSUDE - Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y la Cooperacion
  • Location: Pinar del Rio, Holguín and Las Tunas
  • Implementing partners: National Housing Institute, Provincial and Municipal Governments and the Cuban Congress’ Industry and Construction Commission