EQWALLITY:
a new interface for US - Mexico relations
Site Description / Research
Mexican immigrants arrived in the U.S. while about 1 million left the U.S. As less immigrants cross into the U.S. illegally it is important to evolve our thinking about what purpose the border should serve.
US-Mexico Border The border between the United States and Mexico stretches 1,969 miles, crossing deserts, rivers, towns, and cities from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. No single barrier stretches across the entire border, instead, it is lined with a patchwork of steel and concrete fences, infrared cameras, sensors, drones, and nearly 20,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents. The majority of the “wall” occurs in heavily populated areas. Often when the wall was constructed it bisected thriving border communities which relied on a free flow of goods and services across the border. Restricting access across the border has resulted in harsh inequality both economically and culturally among these border cities.
History
The U.S. – Mexico border region has a long history of cultural interaction since the earliest Mesoamerican times to the present day. The majority of the United States Southwest was part of Mexico until 160 years ago. In 1848, following the Mexican-American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe resulted in the 2,000-mile border that currently exists between the US and Mexico. The Secure Fence Act of 2006 mandated that over 700 miles of double-reinforced fence was to be built along the U.S.-Mexico border in order to “protect the American people” and control illegal immigration into the U.S. In order for this feat to be accomplished, 36 laws were suspended in order to expedite the construction of the Common Ground border wall, including laws protecting the environment and Every year, an estimated 350 million people legally cross endangered species. The resulting wall acts as a symbol of the border, with another 500,000 entering into the United past conflicts between the US and Mexico, and creates an States illegally. According to the Pew Research Center, even wider disconnect between the two countries which at immigrants migrating into the US from Mexico has largely one time had a rich cultural connection. decreased. Between 2009 and 2014, close to 870,000 Water
Animals
REGAN ADMINISTRATION
BUSH ADMINISTRATION
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
BUSH ADMINISTRATION
2016 OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
"I will build a great wall -- and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me --and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words."
Doubles BP agents on US/Mexico border, mandates more fence, offers amnesty to illegal immigrants already living in the US.
2013
Length of border fence modified to 700 miles
Mandates 850 miles of fence built along southern border
2005 Clause which authorizes Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any law which might impede “expeditious” constructuction of the border fence
9/11/2001
1996
1994 Economic treaty which integrates US, Mexico, and Canada
1990
Built in San Diego sector led by Silvestre Reyes; 14 miles long
1982
1954
Border initiative to prevent illegal immigration
1942
Binational treaty for temporary importation of Mexican farmworkers
1934-1940
1929
massive deportation of Mexican immigrants
1924
1910-1917
1853
Completes modern border of US and Mexico
Feb 2 1848
2006
SECTIONS 401(7), 403, AND 404 OF THE NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION ACT OF 1978 SECTIONS 301(A)-(F) OF THE ARIZONA DESERT WILDERNESS ACT RIVERS AND HARBORS ACT OF 1899 EAGLE PROTECTION ACT NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRAITION ACT AMERICAN INDIAN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976
2007
OTAY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS ACT OF 1999 SECTIONS 102(29) AND 103 OF TITLE I OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT PROTECTION ACT
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION ACT
Establishes Rio Grande as international border
American War
FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF 1956 FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ACT COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT ARCHEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT ANTIQUITES ACT HISTORIC SITES, BUILDINGS, AND ANTIQUITIES ACT WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT WILDERNESS ACT
1846-1848
1837 Republic of Texas Formed 1848 Mexican1853 Gadsden Purchase
People
1986
Environment
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT CLEAN AIR ACT SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT
Border initiative to prevent illegal immigration
36 WAIVED LAWS:
1821 Nation of Mexico Formed
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
Global Borders Border conditions have taken many forms over the course of history varying in level of definition from the Great Wall of China to a line on a map. Recently there has been a trend to secure a country’s borders by fortifying them. These range from the DMZ in South Korea to the USMexico border. The historical idea of a secured border is a wall, but a modern solution should and can be so much more.
completed boundary planned boundary political border
North Korea + South Korea
Iraq
Spain + Morocco
Cyprus
Israel + Palestine
US + Mexico Man-made Boundaries
Natural Boundaries
Natural Border Conditions
rivers streams watershed
border fence political boundary railroad
ecoregion grassland elevation
road urban area protected land population density
Man-made Border Conditions
Bi-national Border Cities Borderland Key major city city town airports powerplants
do
Riv
er
Agro Fields
Sonoran D
Col
ora
San Luis
San Luis AZ
SAN LUIS, ARIZONA PHASE 2
PHASE 1
Sonoran Desert
Agro Fields
1985
PHASE 4
City Aerial
PHASE 4 1992
Agro Fields
PHASE 5
PHASE 6
CO 2016
PHASE 3
San Luis MX
Site Aerial
SAN LUIS, RIO COLORADO, MEXICO
San Luis Border Located near the Colorado River, in the corner of the intersection of California, Arizona, Baja, and Sonora Mexico, the City of San Luis Rio Colorado boasts a population of over 160,000. San Luis, Mexico is a sprawling urban region divided by the border between the United States and Mexico. San Luis, Mexico has many challenges and while it lies directly on the border many of the residents do not have access to clean water or adequate housing.
STUDY AND INFLUENCE AREA
Canal International Boundary San Luis
Natural Environment
San Luis, Arizona lies merely feet away on the other side of the border fence and has an abundance of farm work and a thriving agricultural economy due to more than 40,000 Mexican workers who cross legally through the border every day. The border crossed by these workers is a key economic driver for the region and is central to the culture of San Luis. For many of these people, their everyday lives are tied to the border in one way or another.
CO UNTY 22ND ST
Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Minor Collector
SIDEWALK AND BICYCLE FACILITIES
Bicycles + Sidewalks
AVE A
AVE B
AVE C
AVE D
Agricultuture * Commercial Employment Master Plan Community
Industrial Park Light Industrial
COUNTY 25TH ST
Mixed Use Activity Center
Manufactured Home Park
Office
Manufactured Home Subdivision
Open Space / Recreation *
Residential - Low Density
Public Facilities
Residential - Intermediate Density Residential - High Density Residential - Manufactured Housing Rural Area 10 Acres Retention Basin
Vehicular Access
Zoning Plan
San Luis AZ
Ranchette (1-2 du/ac) Residential - High Density (10-20 du/ac) Residential - Low Density (2-6 du/ac) Residential - Medium Density (6-10 du/ac) Airport Airport study Field United States & Mexico Border
Land Use Plan 100
10
SAN LUIS, ARIZONA PHASE 2
PHASE 1
PHASE 3 PHASE 4
8
70
6
60
5,800,000
50
40
30
20
10
0
12 am
1 am
2 am
3 am
4 am
5 am
6 am
7 am
8 am
9 am
10 am 11 am 12 pm
1 pm Sun
Agro Fields
PHASE 5
PHASE 6
Pedestrian Crossing Waiting Time (minutes)
SAN LUIS, RIO COLORADO, MEXICO
Sonoran Desert
3 pm
Mon
4 pm Tue
5 pm Wed
6 pm
7 pm
Thu
8 pm Fri
9 pm Sat
10 pm 11 pm
4
2
0
Source: traffic.calit2.net
50
10
40
8
30
6
20
10
0
12 am
1 am
2 am
3 am
4 am
5 am
6 am
7 am
8 am
9 am
10 am 11 am 12 pm
1 pm Sun
Local Site Forces
2 pm
Number of Crossings (Million)
Colo
Sonoran Desert
80
Number of Crossings (Million)
Passenger Vehicle Crossing Waiting Time (minutes)
90
rad
oR ive
r
Agro Fields
City Site Forces
Identified Growth Area Residential Commercial / Office Medical Mixed Use Airport Industrial / Manufacturing
Airport Compatible Mixed Use
City Facilities
San Luis MX
GROWTH AREAS
Border Crossing Statistics
0 1 - 3,000 3,001 - 6,000 6,001 - 9,000 9,001 - 13,000 13,001 - 18,000 18,001 and above
GROWTH AREAS
Major Activity Center Schools Sidewalks On-Street Parking Current Bike Lane (Paved) Current Bike Lane (Unpaved)
General Plan COUNTY 24TH ST
Commercial General
Agro Fields
Growth Trends
SIDEWALK AND BICYCLE FACILITIES
Major Activity Center Schools YCAT Yellow Route 95 YCAT Silver Route 9 Transit Routes
Legend
COUNTY 24TH ST
Commercial Local
City Plan
YEAR 2013 POPULATION DENSITY
AREA SERVICE HIGHWAY/JUAN SANCHEZ BLVD
10TH AVE
City Limits
Land Port of Entry
Commercial Area
Population Density
4TH AVE
HW Y 95/MAIN ST
Legend
State Route 195 Area Service Highway
Shopping Center Commercial Corridor Economics Educational Public Areas Management Offices Parks Religion Health Culture Sports Areas
Park Post Office School Hospital
AVE E
AVE F
AVE G
6TH AVE
IN ST
Juan Sanchez Blvd
Juan Sanchez Blvd
URTUZUASTEGUI ST
Major Route
City Facility
Library MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTERS Market
Land Use
TRANSIT FACILITIES
TRANSIT FACILITIES
Transit
8TH AVE
95/MA
10TH AVE
HW Y
4TH AVE
Juan Sanchez Blvd
City Limits
Port of Entry Study Roadway Canal International Boundary Cities Study Area
CO UNTY 22ND ST
URTUZUASTEGUI ST
Planning Area Boundary
Irrigation Agriculture Urban Area Sonoran Desertschrub Sandy Desert Vegetation
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Major Circulation
Legend
Wildlife Habitat Block
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Wildlife Linkage Zone
San Luis Rio Colorado
YEAR 2013 POPULATION DENSITY
MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTERS MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTERS
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
STUDY AND INFLUENCE AREA
Study Roadway
STUDY AND INFLUENCE AREA Port of Entry
Study Area
2 pm Mon
3 pm
4 pm Tue
5 pm Wed
6 pm Thu
7 pm
8 pm Fri
9 pm Sat
10 pm 11 pm Source: traffic.calit2.net
4
2,300,000 2
0
Site Inventory Layered Transparency
Infrastructural Systems
Economic Activity
Reuse of Materials
Dynamic Landscapes
Vernacular Typologies
Program Development PROGRAM
Civic Buildings Public Housing Education Markets
Nature Reserve Walking Paths Nature Trails Bike Paths
Night
Afternoon Night
Evening
Morning
Afternoon
Morning + Evening
Total
San Luis, MX
Shared Space
Recreation Space Event Space Memorials Museums
Emblematic Monument Enrique Norten and TEN Arquitectos
Tagus Linear Park Topiaris Landscape Architecture
Infrastructure
Energy Production Water Treatment Transportation Security
Cheonggyecheon River Seoul, South Korea
Public Housing Education Markets
Danish National Maritime Museum BIG
Civic Buildings
Benidorm Seafront OAB
San Luis, AZ
Walking Paths Nature Trails Bike Paths
Moses Bridge RO&AD architecten
Nature Reserve
Precident Analysis
Mariposa Land Port of Entry
San Berillo Masterplan
Project for an Elevated Park in Chapultepec, Mexico
Jones Studio’s expansion of the Mariposa Land Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz., welcomes visitors and returning residents back to the United States with an illuminated canopy of red, white and blue; the welcome mat centerpiece to a border station they describe as “a cultural connection, rather than a division.” “Conceptually, Jones Studio organized the land port of entry as an oasis rail yard; long, linear circulation paths centered on a lush, green hub of activity. This landscaped, narrow strip will be planted with native plants and trees. Canopies and pergolas will offer visitors a chance to step off the highway and connect with nature in relaxing, restful surroundings.”
“The main aim of this project is to connect the city center to the Ionian Sea coast, with the help of a large pedestrian boulevard. The urban void was redefined by tracing a new east-west axis and connecting the street grid. All of the existing fabric, functions and transport routes were taken into consideration – for example, taking the underground metro line as a design articulation. The architectural concept is based on a tectonic geometry realized with four intertwining plates accessible by ramps or stairs, pierced with interior green courtyards, which form loggias and terraces.”
“The proposal consists of interweaving 2 neighborhoods in Mexico City by means of build an Elevated Park with commerce of all kinds, cultural and welfare facilities, green areas and sustainable mobility. The project creates a “New Destination” inside the city by generating an atmosphere: attractive, comfortable and safe. It works as trigger for urban contiguous developments by providing uses and services that have regional impact. It improves the quality of life, stimulating the economic, social and environmental development, while limiting the expansion of the city footprint.”
PROJECT
PARTI
SITE & CONTEXT
CIRCULATION
PUBLIC / PRIVATE
NAME
BUILDING
CONTEXT
SITE CIRCULATION
PUBLIC
LOCATION
DIRECTION
SITE BOUNDARY
SPACE
PRIVATE
ARCHITECT(S)
GATHERING
BUILDING
Mariposa Land Port of Entry Nogales, Arizona Jones Studio
San Berillo Master Plan Catania, Sicilly Mario Cucinella Architects
Elevated Park Chapultepec, Mexico FRENTE arquitectura, RVDG arquitectura + urbanismo
PROGRAM
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
OFFICE
PARK
LANDSCAPE
WASTE
RETAIL
SECURITY
WATER
PARKING
RESIDENTIAL
OTHER
ENERGY
SOLAR
Design Speculation CAN THE BORDER BE RE-IMAGED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE BORDERLANDS? CAN THE BORDER BE A PRODUCTIVE SPACE RATHER THAN A POLITICAL LINE?
CAN A BORDERLAND BE SECURED WITHOUT SACRIFICING QUALITY OF LIFE OF ITS INHABITANTS?
CAN THE BORDER BE AN INTERCONNECTED NETWORK OF SHARED SPACES?
INSTEAD OF BEING WHAT SEPARATES US, CAN THE BORDER BE WHAT JOINS US?
STITCH
BRIDGE
BUBBLE
GRAIN
SLIP & SLIDE
ZIPPER
STITCH
BRIDGE
BUBBLE
GRAIN
SLIP & SLIDE
ZIPPER
WEAVE
COURTYARD
FINGER
SNAKE
WEDGIE
FOLD
WEAVE
COURTYARD
FINGER
SNAKE
WEDGIE
FOLD
PLAN
PLAN
PLAN
PLAN
PLAN
PLAN
SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
Program Layout & Site Systems
De-construct Wall:
Berm Land:
Allows transparency and permeability through a once solid boundary condition.
Creates a soft edge condition using earth and terraces.
Elevated Path:
Water as Boundary:
Allows for view to surrounding areas and links programmatic elements.
Enlarging of existing canal and addition of secondary canal creates boundary while also allowing for views.
Site Conceptual Design
Existing Site:
Border Zone:
Access & Connection:
The existing border wall creates a harsh divide between US & Mexican citizens. Often families find themselves split across the border without opportunity to visit without risking deportation or even jail time.
Defined boundary conditions make up 3 sides of this “shared courtyard� while the existing canal is expanded to complete the border zone while at the same time allowing for views to the adjacent landscape (and future expansion).
The boundary is eroded in response to the surrounding context to allow access into the site. Each point of entry will be monitored in a way to filter traffic in and out allowing for free flow into the space. Identification will be required to exit.
Engage Native Ecosystem:
Cultivate & Educate:
Generate & Produce:
The site design and building placement aims to foster native habitats and create irrigation allowing for an oasis condition that the surrounding ecosystem can inhabit and thrive within.
Building and site programming allows for civic engagement and education acting as a shared cultural resource facilitating social and economic growth in the region.
Site infrastructure allows for continued generation of energy and production of vegetation, while also incubating new relationships and social engagements that will shape the future of the region.
Aerial At Canal
Roof Plan
Noli Plan
“Bridge” Condition
“Path” Entry
Upper Park Section
View of Housing
Lower Park Section
Shared Space Section Housing Entry
Filter Condition
Port of Entry Edge Condition
“Filter” Condition
School Courtyard
Recreation Area
Upper Courtyard
Lower Courtyard
Recreation Area
Bridge Condition
Bridge Upper Level Plan
Bridge Exploded Axon
Bridge Ground Level Plan
Earth Condition
Earth Roof Level Plan
Earth Exploded Axon
Earth Ground Level Plan
Embed Condition
Embed Upper Level Plan
Embed Exploded Axon
Embed Lower Level Plan
Site Systems
Current Border
Border as Space
Border as Place
A re-imagining of the interface between the United States and Mexico, this proposal recreates the border as an inhabitable space that re-joins bi-national cities while also acting as a sanctuary allowing for immigrants and their families to be reunited once again.