The demolition of the ruins of the former Higher Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI) in Central Havana has raised concerns among local residents, who fear the risks associated with the demolition work and lament the loss of a historic building.
The Municipal Assembly of People's Power of Centro Habana announced on Facebook that the works are being carried out by the state company GEICONS, thereby confirming the permanent removal of the structure located on Belascoaín Street, between Estrella and Maloja.
A video shared on social media by the user on Facebook “Díaz Canel Sin Gao” shows the moment when a demolition machine brings down the walls that were still standing.
In the recording, a person can be heard exclaiming with concern: "How dangerous that is, my God!" as a cloud of dust rises over the area.
The images reveal the extent of the demolition. Large sections of the building have been reduced to rubble. Soon, there will be no remnants left of the structure that for decades housed one of the most important academic centers for design in Cuba.
The building, constructed in 1860 and home to the ISDI since 1984, had been in serious disrepair for years. It was closed in 2022 due to structural failures and has experienced several partial collapses in recent years.
The demolition was essential and highlights the rapid deterioration of Cuba's architectural heritage. Residents now fear that the lot will end up as a landfill or an abandoned space, as has happened with other demolished properties in the capital.
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