Little Havana

photo by: Steven Brooke Studios

Latino & Hispanic American History

Little Havana

  • Location: Miami, Florida

America is a nation of immigrants and Little Havana is Miami’s Ellis Island—a place where generations of people have launched their American journey. An internationally recognized symbol of the role of immigrants in the American story, Little Havana remains a thriving, healthy and culturally rich urban neighborhood.

A symbol of inclusiveness,a testament to the immigrant spirit that built our nation, and an affordable neighborhood that thousands of Miamians continue to call home, Little Havana is integral both to Miami and to the nation as a whole.

Los Estadios Unidos es una nacion de immigrantes y La Pequeña Habana es su puerta de entrada en Miami—un lugar donde generaciones de personas han iniciado su camino norteamericano. Un símbolo reconocido a nivel internacional por el papel de los inmigrantes en la historia estadounidense, La Pequeña Habana sigue siendo un barrio urbano próspero, saludable y rico en cultura.

Un símbolo de inclusividad,un testimonio al espíritu inmigrante que construyó nuestra nación y un barrio accesible que miles de miamenses continúan llamando hogar, La Pequeña Habana es esencial tanto para Miami como para la nación entera.

“The most well known Cuban-American enclave in the United States and a symbol of the immigrant experience and the American melting pot, Little Havana remains a thriving, diverse urban area.”

Stephanie Meeks

History

Little Havana’s story is at the heart of the American experience. From its earliest days as a residential suburb, to its iconic role as a haven for Cuban Americans, to its more recent role as a home to immigrants from Central America and the Caribbean, Little Havana has been shaped by people striving to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Threat

Despite Little Havana’s significant place in our national story, the neighborhood currently faces a range of threats, including development pressure, demolition of historic buildings, displacement of existing residents, and zoning changes that could impact its affordability, cultural richness, and character.

Opportunity

With appropriate master planning informed by community engagement and lessons learned from cities across the country, Little Havana can remain a thriving, healthy, and livable community that embraces its past while planning for a bright future.

Historia

La historia de La Pequeña Habana está en el corazón de la experiencia estadounidense. Desde sus primeros días como colonia residencial, a su papel icónico como refugio para los cubano-americanos, a su papel más reciente como hogar de inmigrantes de Centroamérica y el Caribe, La Pequeña Habana ha sido formada por personas luchando por construir una vida mejor para ellos y sus familias.

Amenaza

A pesar de su lugar de importancia en nuestra historia nacional, La Pequeña Habana se enfrenta a una serie de amenazas, incluyendo la presión del desarrollo, la demolición de edificios históricos, el desplazamiento de residentes existentes, y cambios de zonificación que podrían afectar su costo accesible, riqueza cultural y carácter.

Oportunidad

Con planificación maestra apropiada e informada por la participación de la comunidad y las lecciones aprendidas en ciudades a través del país, La Pequeña Habana puede seguir siendo una comunidad próspera, saludable y habitable que honra su pasado mientras planea un futuro brillante. Con el aporte de la comunidad y compañeros locales Dade Heritage Trust y PlusUrbia Design, el National Trust se enfocará en soluciones que aseguren que La Pequeña Habana siga siendo un barrio dinámico y culturalmente rico para seguir dándole la bienvenida a generaciones futuras de estadounidenses.

Calle Ocho, the primary commercial corridor in Little Havana, is the second-most popular tourism destination in Miami.

La Calle Ocho, el principal corredor comercial en La Pequeña Habana, es el segundo lugar turístico más popular en Miami.

Looking Forward

In June 2019, the National Trust for Historic Preservation created a road map for improving life for Little Havana’s residents while protecting this one-of-a-kind place.

In partnership with local organizations led by PlusUrbia Design, and developed with input from more than 2,700 residents and stakeholders, the award-winning revitalization plan focuses on building a healthy, equitable, and resilient neighborhood that retains its unique character. Drawing on best practices from a variety of fields, the plan increases incentives, lowers barriers, and respects the existing heritage of Little Havana. With this innovative tool in hand, Little Havana now has a path forward that will help future generations continue to thrive.

Little Havana was also named to the National Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2015.

We believe all Americans deserve to see their history in the places that surround us. As a nation, we have work to do to fill in the gaps of our cultural heritage.

Let's Get to Work