Adaptación de la vivienda costera al cambio climático. Recomendaciones de diseño para Cuba

Adaptation of Coastal Housing to Climate Change. Design Recommendations for Cuba

Abstract

The elevation of the mean sea level and the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events will totally or partially affect numerous coastal settlements in Cuba during the next 50 to 100 years. The research tried to propose solutions for the transformation of existing settlements and houses, as well as principles for new designs with a view to making them more resilient. It was structured in three stages that combine theoretical and empirical research methods with others of design. As a result, the settlements located in the stretches of partially flooded sandy-silt-peaty substrate coastal strips are characterized, according to their relationship with the sea, the economic base, population, culture, tradition, architecture and popular adaptation practices, and principles of action are proposed for the relocation of houses, the modification of the environment, and recommendations for the design and transformation of architecture. It is concluded that the actions to be undertaken and the solutions to be developed must be specific and diverse, trying, as far as possible, to keep the coastal population as close as possible to their natural livelihood.