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67 | the <strong>Alamar</strong> travel guide<br />
to be developed under Batista’s regime in the 1950’s, this was a chance to use<br />
the unspoilt nature available. The idea for <strong>Alamar</strong> was to create a luxurious living<br />
environment for the upper class, with villas facing the seaside. In this plan the beach<br />
would be exclusive, just lke in the other affluent suburbs on the coast. Directly after<br />
the revolution this idea shifted. In the socialists’concept for the beach, it would be an<br />
asset for all.<br />
Infrastructure<br />
The beaches of <strong>Alamar</strong> are well connected by an<br />
oversized infrastructure that seems like a ring road<br />
surrounding undefined spaces. The infrastructure<br />
was built in the pre-revolutionary era, for the<br />
villas that were supposed to fill in the first two<br />
areas in the masterplan. However, these areas are<br />
remained unbuilt. We can only speculate about<br />
the reasons for keeping these attractive plots<br />
vacant. Was it because of the location being in the<br />
hurricane-risk and flooding zone? Did the builders<br />
stumble on natural difficulties? Was the area meant<br />
for the extension of sports facilities? Or something<br />
completely else?<br />
Fig 6.6 Unused infrastructure<br />
Oil exploitation<br />
Another speculation is the presence of oil in the<br />
area, and its possible rendability. When passing<br />
the unbuilt green stretches of undefined space<br />
from the beach, you may encounter some strange<br />
structures or storage spaces, most of them rusting<br />
away. These are the remnants of a short lived oil<br />
extraction prospect. Off shore the Cubans have<br />
been more lucky, as some oil fields have been<br />
found in territorial waters. Currently Cuba is<br />
trying to secure foreign direct investment to make<br />
extraction financially feasible.<br />
Fig 6.7 Remnants of oil extract<br />
Vacant plots<br />
Coastal area<br />
Coral rock beach<br />
Sea<br />
Fig 6.8 Vacant plots and infrastructure
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