This money is being invested in the renovation of Old Havana. Tremendous progress is being made in restoring the beautiful buildings, but the corporation's mission is more focused on the people. Old Havana is a poor part of town and many of the buildings are being renovated for affordable housing or human services. A number of the most spectacular have been converted into museums complete with classrooms for local students. Still others are being used as hotels, restaurants, or shops to accommodate the growing tourist industry that makes the preservation work possible.
Environmental restoration is yet another focus of the municipal government.
Soon after the revolution, Fidel Castro directed that a greenbelt be developed surrounding Havana. That greenbelt is now in place complete with an arboretum, a zoo, farms, and numerous parks. I visited Lenin Park, with over 600 hectares, most of which is being reforested. I also toured the site of another 600-hectare park that is being developed along the Almendares River in the heart of the city. The river looks beautiful but smells terrible.