IHCantabria inaugurates the 2nd training course within the framework of the project ‘Complementary studies for the integral solution to the floods in the Malecón de la Habana’.
Today, the inauguration ceremony of the second training section of the project “Complementary studies for the integral solution to flooding in the Havana Malecon” was held in the Nilo Room of the Institute of Environmental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria(IHCantabria). The implementation of this project is financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
This event, which took place in hybrid mode, was chaired by the head of the Ports and Coastal Infrastructures Group of this institution, Antonio Tomás Sampedro. In person, teaching and research personnel from the University of Cantabria and IHCantabria, together with a group of Cuban professionals, integrated by: Patricia Ruth de Horta Brito (CIH-CUJAE), Daniela Córdova De Horta (CIH-CUJAE), Luis Fermín Córdova López (Technical Director, CIH-CUJAE) and Juan José Díaz (Project Director, representing ESIHO). Members of R5 Marine Solutions(André Cardoso and Francisco José Cerda Rojo) also participated virtually, representing The Associated Engineering Partnership (Dar TAEP).
The project was awarded to IHCantabria and Dar TAEP (with whom Dar TAEP also participates). R5 Marine Solutions), and consists of carrying out tests, in 2D and 3D physical models, of the proposed solutions from the project “Studies for obtaining an integral solution for coastal flood protection of the so-called Malecón de La Habana” (Havana Seawall). In addition, this project includes the provision of short training courses and technical support to assist in design and decision making.
One of the main objectives of this project is to strengthen the capacities of the research team of the local consultant in Cuba, which is integrated by the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), the Western Hydraulic Engineering Services Company (ESIHO) and the Hydraulic Research Center of the Technological University of Havana (CIH-CUJAE). To meet the proposed objectives, IHCantabria has designed a specific training program on the use and application of the latest technologies in Coastal and Maritime Engineering, which is structured in two training sections (each lasting three weeks) and is carried out in hybrid mode (classroom and on-line).
The complete training program includes from maritime climate characterization, through wave propagation, wave interaction with coastal infrastructures, to composite flooding (marine and hydrological) of sheltered or protected urban areas. For this purpose, the physical processes that govern these aspects of engineering will be analyzed, as well as the tools with which they are solved and characterized.
This training course is the second of the two training courses designed, the first one was held between November 20 and December 7, 2023; and the one that starts today will end on May 24, 2024. It is worth noting that the current 3-week training section has been made to coincide with the realization of the 2D physical modeling of some of the proposed solutions. These tests are being successfully carried out at IHCantabria’s facilities, specifically in the COCOTSU wave flume.
The teaching team that will teach the training courses of the second training segment is made up of the following members: Marta Ramirez, Melisa Menéndez, Javier García Alba, Moisés Álvarez, Alexandra Toimil, Sara Novo and Iria Suárez. Antonio Tomás Sampedro, Beatriz Rodríguez Fernández, César Vidal Pascual, Delia Regueira and Andrés Mendoza, together with the rest of the team participating in the project, will hold several joint work sessions for the follow-up, review and detailed definition of the project.
The aim of this ambitious project and the training sessions is not only to address current problems, but also to train professionals interested in preserving the coastal environment and in adopting effective preventive measures to face the challenges caused by flooding in Havana’s emblematic Malecón.
The Institute of Environmental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria (IHCantabria) is a joint research institute focused on the integrated management of socio-ecological systems associated with water. Founded in 2007, its mission is to promote scientific excellence and its transfer, to drive innovation that contributes to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the achievement of a just, inclusive, responsible and resilient society.
The Association of Associated Engineering (Dar TAEP) is a registered professional office based in Kuwait. He is licensed to practice as general architectural consultants, engineers and urban planners. As part of its services, Consultores Generales also performs engineering design and consulting services and feasibility studies associated with infrastructure, industrial and public projects. R5 Marine Solutions collaborates with TAEP.
