Cuba's Civil Works were once the envy of many developing countries.  Newly constructed boulevards, highways, and high-rise structures, etc. such as the ones shown above were flourishing throughout the country prior to 1959. 

 
















Entrance to tunnel across Havana's Bay Harbor

DEVELOPING A VISION FOR RECONSTRUCTING CUBA’S INFRASTRUCTURE:

One of my favorite biblical verses is a cause-and-effect proverb that states: “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18).  This page and related blog are dedicated to all of those professionals who envision a democratic Cuba and the reconstruction of its Infrastructure. 

Discussions are intended for, but not limited to, professionals practicing Civil Engineering and closely related professions (Architecture, Construction, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Surveying, Geology, Cartography/GIS, etc.).  I am particularly interested in building a depository of openly shared knowledge and information.    Here is a summary of potential topics for our discussions:

1.   Data Repositories: What data sources are available on the existing infrastructure (soils investigations, design data/drawings, building codes used, As-built drawings, etc., reports, papers, journals)?

2.   Conditions Assessments: What are the conditions of Cuba’s infrastructure and what’s needed (e.g., a Master Plan)? 

3.   Materials and Resources: What and where are the physical resources on the island (cement, asphalt, steel, etc.). 

4.   Tapping into the Fountains of Knowledge: Who were the engineers that worked on the design and construction of Cuba’s existing infrastructure, both pre- and during Castro’s dictatorship?  Can those who are still alive be properly identified and contacted?

5.   The Vision (Master Plan): How would we plan Cuba’s essential infrastructure ?  What are the commercial, industrial, and residential needs that would motivate reconstruction and/or expansion?

6.   Project Financing: How would major infrastructure improvement projects be funded (e.g., IDB, EBRD, EX-IN, private banks/investors)?

7.   Energy: What are the most likely fuels to energize Cuba's transportation system (Upstream facilities, pipelines, pump stations)?  Is ethanol a viable alternative fuel to support future demands?

Links to presently identified sources of information will also be posted on the blog.  As one may easily imagine, there will be many other topics and questions to discuss.  I envisioned assigning the task of coordinating various forums on specialized topics to other professionals.  Consequently, if you are interest and supporting a particular area of specialization, please contact me at rsanchez@cubancongaman.com

 PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

 As a Civil Engineer, I have often wondered what will happen the day I have an opportunity to make a contribution, however small, towards rebuilding Cuba’s infrastructure.  Similar to many of my countrymen, I left the island at a young age and, hence, completed most of my formal education outside of Cuba (i.e., in my case in the United States).  The most impressive Civil Works that I remember from those early days was “El Tunel de La Habana” (Havana's Bay Tunnel), as my father would take me to the beautiful beaches at Santa-Maria-del-Mar, located near Cuba’s capital city of Havana.  Through my childhood inquisitiveness, I was always amazed with the "magic" that we would enter on one side of the Bay of Havana and exit on the other side of the bay via the tunnel and under the passing ships. 

Responding to my curiosity and to propose a future career, my father would tell me that Civil Engineers had designed the tunnel, the roads, and many other civil works that we encountered along the way to the beach.  Though my passion then and now were more closely tied to playing music and baseball, the thought of studying Civil Engineering, however far-fetched and magical it may have seemed at that time, remained with me for many years.  Since those days, I have long-ago completed my engineering education, practiced it for many more years, and as part of those responsibilities, I have flown over my homeland on numerous occasions to conduct Civil Engineering studies throughout most countries in South and Central America.  Yet, for over forty years I've not made even a transient stop at my homeland of Cuba.  Nevertheless, like many other Cuban-Americans, if there is anything that I still dream about, besides Cuba’s liberty, it’s to fulfill my heart’s desire to someday assist with its reconstruction and development to, at least, its glorious historical infrastructure days.

Signed this 9th day of August, 2009
Roberto Sanchez
Roberto Sanchez, P.E., P.H. 
Professional Engineer