THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE INVENTORY OF URBAN GEODIVERSITY FOR GEOTOURISM PURPOSES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF HABANA VIEJA AND REGLA, CUBA

Abstract

This article presents the conceptual framework and methodological procedures for conducting a geodiversity inventory in an urban context, with the ultimate goal of fostering geotourism activities in the municipalities of Habana Vieja and Regla, located in Havana Bay, Cuba. The study is grounded in the concepts of geodiversity, geological and geocultural heritage, geoconservation, and geotourism. The proposed methodology integrates the analysis of natural heritage (rock outcrops, geological sites) with built heritage (buildings, monuments, public squares) through a geocultural perspective aimed at the valorization and sustainable use of these resources. The methodological procedure involved a desk-based phase—comprising historical, documentary, and cartographic research—and a fieldwork phase, involving reconnaissance and site visits to identify and catalog the locations. Specific inventory forms were developed for natural and geocultural geosites, including descriptive and quantitative sheets, all designed to assess potential for tourism use. This work contributes to the creation of a georeferenced database and the proposal of an inventory methodology adapted to the Cuban context, serving as a foundation for developing geotourism routes and geoconservation initiatives, while aligning with the principles of sustainable development and the valorization of national identity.