Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative led a graduate studio focused on the redevelopment of Havana's Nico-Lopez Oil Refinery. Based on information gathered during a one-week visit to Cuba, students generated a holistic vision to transform the 500 acre brownfield site into a viable harbor-front neighborhood. The range of urban design proposals include a public transit corridor, ferry terminal, urban agriculture farm, flood mitigation landscape. public park network, and wastewater biofiltration infrastructure.

1. The WaterfrontOpportunity for a Resilient Coastline

2. Bird and Fish Habitat
Lookout
Saltwater Wetlands
Beach and Park
The Shelf
Marina
Ferry Dock
Pools
Water Treatment Center
Waterfront Path
Boardwalk
Natural Paths

3. Area of Potential
Land Loss

4. Area of Accepted
Sea Level Rise

5. Minimal Area
unaccessible to
human pedestrians
(birds and boats welcome)

6. A View from Above

8. Zone 1 Site Plan

10. Section through Water Treatment and Living Machine

13. Existing Water Edge
Predicted 5’ Sea Level
Rise in 80 Years
Predicted one in
500 Year Flood
Bioswales Street Protected
Section through Pools and Boiswales

14. Pier Plan

15. Waiting for the Ferry

16. Section through Pier and Ferry Dock

17. Water Recreation in the Bay

18. Existing Water Level Predicted 5’ Sea Level
Rise in 80 Years
Predicted one in
500 Year Flood
Berm
Deep Foundations
Section through the Shelf and Water’s Edge

19. Compare: Cleveland and Havana Waterfront
Cleveland Havana
Weather
-seasonal
-freeze / thaw
-unpredictability
Isolation
-separated from the Lakefront by Interstate 90
-large Topography change
A Nature Preserve
-Dike 14
Weather
-hurricanes
-susceptible to flooding
-hot and humid
Isolation
-past use required security and limited access
A Nature Preserve
-just to the north of the site for migratory birds
-The quality of the Bay Water is among the
worst in the world