20th Century Heritage in the Digital Age: Regulatory Hybridization and Technological Safeguarding of Havana's Art Nouveau

Abstract

This article reflects on the preservation of 20th-century architectural heritage in the digital era, focusing on Havana’s Art Nouveau movement. It traces UNESCO’s normative evolution from tangible to intangible and digital heritage, emphasizing the relevance of the 2003 Convention and the Charter on Digital Heritage.  The project originated during the International Congress Cibersociedad 2025, through the creation of a digital map of Havana’s modernist architecture using artificial intelligence, geocoding, and interactive visualization platforms. Iconic buildings such as Palacio Cueto, Casa de los Pelícanos, and Jardines de la Tropical were documented, highlighting the uniqueness of Havana’s “mold architecture” pioneered by Mario Rotllant, who democratized the style through prefabricated decorative elements.  The UNESCO candidacy proposal shifted towards intangible cultural heritage, recognizing traditional construction skills (ironwork, stained glass, cement casting) and supported by digital restitution technologies (photogrammetry, 3D modeling). The article concludes that the integration of AI, GIS, and international normative frameworks enhances research and heritage safeguarding, turning data into cultural memory preserved for future generations.