The National Institute of Territorial Planning and Urbanism (INOTU) reported that there are currently 961 informal settlements or neighborhoods in Cuba, of which 513 lack official recognition and 379 are considered precarious.
The data was reported this Tuesday in the Commission on Industry, Construction, and Energy, ahead of the fifth session of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP).
The urban reality in Cuba contrasts sharply with the image that the regime tries to project of the country. Among residents in illegal neighborhoods, more than 60% have a supply booklet, but only 17% are employed, which reflects an increasing disconnect between the government apparatus and a significant portion of the population.
Many of these residents come from other provinces, which highlights the phenomenon of internal migration and the inability of the State to provide housing solutions in the destination areas.
The access to public services in these neighborhoods is limited, and the living conditions of the houses are poor.
More than half of illegal homes have access to electricity, a tenth have landline phones, and thousands use basic services without legal backing, which compromises the sustainability of the system and distorts the national urban planning model.
The vice prime minister Inés María Chapman emphasized the need for "education, counseling, and regularization programs", as well as tax incentives that would allow the incorporation of these sectors into the legal system.
Far from being reduced, the marginal neighborhoods are growing in informality and non-compliance with urban regulations, as a response to the lack of housing alternatives and the rigidity of the state apparatus. Without fundamental solutions, the situation could worsen even further in the coming years.
The Ministry of Construction has been failing to meet housing construction plans for over a decade, and the State, instead of taking action, turns a blind eye while the problem worsens.
In the midst of the economic crisis and inflation that leaves thousands of vulnerable families without food on their tables, Deputy Prime Minister Chapman asked on Tuesday: "Why do community actors lack programs to build housing?"
Frequently Asked Questions about the Growth of Informal Neighborhoods in Cuba
How many informal neighborhoods currently exist in Cuba?
There are currently 961 informal neighborhoods in Cuba, of which 513 have no official recognition and 379 are considered precarious. This situation reflects the growing urban informality in the country.
Why are informal settlements growing in Cuba?
The growth of informal neighborhoods in Cuba is mainly due to the lack of housing alternatives and the rigidity of the state apparatus. The economic crisis, internal migration, and the disconnection of part of the population from the government exacerbate the problem, reflecting the state's inability to provide effective solutions.
What access to public services do informal settlements have in Cuba?
Access to public services in informal neighborhoods of Cuba is limited. More than half of the illegal homes have access to electricity, but only one-tenth have landline phone service. Many utilize basic services without legal backing, compromising the sustainability of the system and the national urban model.
What measures does the Cuban government propose to address the situation of informal neighborhoods?
The Cuban government proposes education, counseling, and regularization programs to address the situation of informal neighborhoods. Additionally, tax incentives are suggested to integrate these sectors into the legal system; however, without substantial solutions, the outlook could worsen in the coming years.
How does the economic crisis affect the housing situation in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba exacerbates the housing situation by leaving thousands of vulnerable families without food and without adequate housing solutions. The lack of materials, the collapse of the local industry, and poor state management are factors that deepen the structural crisis in the sector.
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