In Havana, Cuba, the idea of classifying streets based on their functions for all street users, which is also applied in MORE, is taking ground.
Traditionally, urban road classifications were based on the importance of each road for the movement of motorised vehicles, using terms such as “primary route” and “distributor”. The Link & Place concept developed at UCL uses a new two-dimensional classification of ‘movement’ (by all modes of transport) and ‘place’ (importance of the road or street as a destination in itself). This alternative classification is powerful because it broadens the range of stakeholders involved, the agreed functions of each street, and the types of road designs proposed.
This concept is currently being used in the MORE cities and has previously been applied in cities around the world – but seldom in countries with low motorisation rates, such as Cuba. Adriana Ortegon and Paulo Anciaes from UCL are working with CUJAE (Universidad Tecnológica de la Habana José Antonio Echeverría) and Dirección General de Transporte de la Habana to develop a new Link & Place classification for Havana’s road network, as a part of the STEPS-Havana project.