Habitat Calzada

Friends of Havana supported improvements to Parque Hábitat Calzada, a dynamic public space in Vedado designed primarily for children aged five to ten. The park is part of a highly innovative civic initiative: it was developed by a Cuban MIPYME and is sustained in part through the sale of food and beverages from a small café on site. This hybrid model allows the park to function as both a neighborhood gathering space and a financially sustainable public amenity.

The park includes a range of playground features and has quickly become a lively destination for families in the neighborhood. By combining thoughtful design, small-scale entrepreneurship, and community use, Hábitat Calzada demonstrates a new approach to public space management in Havana.

Friends of Havana’s initial support, provided in 2024, focused on improving the comfort of the park. In Havana’s climate, intense midday heat often limits how long outdoor spaces can be used. FoH helped fund the construction of a shaded structure over the play area, designed as a lightweight metal framework that supports both textile shade and climbing plants. Over time, native vines will grow across the structure, creating a “living shade” that reduces temperatures and improves the experience of the space.

In 2026, FoH provided additional support for solar panels and battery storage for the park. These upgrades help ensure that lighting, small equipment, and the café can continue operating during Havana’s frequent electrical outages, allowing the park to remain active and welcoming for the community.

For Friends of Havana, the project represents a compelling example of how entrepreneurship, design, and community life can reinforce one another. By supporting targeted improvements to an already innovative project, FoH helped extend the hours of use, improve environmental conditions, and strengthen the long-term resilience of one of Havana’s most vibrant new public spaces.