John Thompson speaks in Havana
< View all news

John Thompson speaks in Havana

Published on 8 December 2015

John Thompson has recently delivered a talk at INTBAU – The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism – conference in Havana, Cuba.

Entitled ‘Resilience and the Value of Heritage: Learning from Historic Cities’, the conference examined the urgent agenda of resilient settlement for a rapidly urbanizing world, and the lessons to be applied from – and for – historic cities.

Plaza Vieja, Old Havana – restored in 2012.

Reflecting on JTP’s international placemaking experience, with reference to projects such as Shahama and Bahia in Abu Dhabi and Suzhou Eco-town in China, John’s talk drew lessons from the timeless principles of great placemaking and showed how these can be used to inform the future and create healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.

The city of Havana provided an intriguing case study. Cuba is a nation under pressure to provide for tourism and other growing industries, while protecting settlements from the increasing threats of chaotic events, including both environmental and economic disruptions. Representatives of other INTBAU chapters from all continents and many kinds of settlements also shared their diverse resources, and explored common challenges.

Visit the INTBAU website for further information on their work.