Havana : two faces of the Antillean metropolis /

Using three smoothly intersecting perspectives, Segre, Coyula, and Scarpaci offer an unusually diverse view of Havana based on their individual scholarly backgrounds in architecture, planning, and geography. Their book is also an excellent summary of socialist Cuba's urban experience, and is of particular interest in light of the stock-taking that will soon occur as the Castro regime--with its end clearly in sight--marks its 40th anniversary in power. Ten lively chapters trace Havana's historical and social geography, changing built environment, revolutionary and postrevolutionary developments, administrative evolution, housing crises, economic swings, and future prospects. The book is very well supported by maps, graphs, and tables, and is studded with fascinating photos from the authors' personal collections. The bibliography and index are especially generous. A welcome addition to the literature of both international urban studies and the regional geography of the Caribbean Basin. Recommended as highly as possible for Latin America, architecture, planning, and urban studies collections. All levels. P. O. Muller University of Miami