BORDERS ARE NOT BOUNDARIES by jaimecesarperez

BORDERS ARE NOT BOUNDARIES HUMANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES -

ARE NOT BORDERS BOUNDARIES

Jaime Cesar Perez II

University of Texas at San Antonio

School of Architecture & Planning

MEXICO

BORDER

PEREZ

ARE NOT BORDERS BOUNDARIES

HUMANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES - MEXICO BORDER

Jaime Cesar Perez II

B.S. Interior Design 2020

M. Architecture 2022

A design thesis presented to

The University of Texas at San Antonio

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2022

501 W Cesar E Chavez Blvd San Antonio, Texas 78207

Dedicated

To my classmates, family, and instructors for the memorable journey throughout my college experience and growth as a designer.

Thank you. I hold each experience as an integral part of where I am today.

Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................................

Preface.............................................................................................................................................

Introduction of Thesis.....................................................................................................................

Thesis Claim...................................................................................................................................

Chapter 1: Position of Thesis..........................................................................................................

Chapter 2: Precedent......................................................................................................................

Chapter 3: Border Programming Matrix.....................................................................................

Chapter 4: Site Interventions Across Border Towns.................................................................

Chapter 5: Proposed Project - Site Selection..............................................................................

Chapter 6: Proposed Project (Laredo, Texas).............................................................................

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my classmates, family, and instructors for the memorable journey that culminates in the completion of this book and this experience.

Thank you for pushing me to strive for better.

Figure 1: Laredo International Bridge 2

Preface

Raised in a border town, a sense of difference within my community was strong. Too Mexican for the Americans, Too American for the Mexicans. It became clear that the border town mentality was unique in the sense that the border created its own culture and identity that was an amalgamation of the United States and Mexico. The United States – Mexico border has always been identified by preconceived notions of security, movement, and inhumanity. Change is needed to combat these notions and take the unique culture of parallel border towns into consideration when designing along the border. This proposed project is an attempt to spark conversations that will cross boundaries and borders to humanize the United States – Mexico border through architecture and inclusivity to combat the notions of separation.

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Figure 2: Existing Border Wall Along US - Mexico Border

Introduction

The United States - Mexico border currently provides outdated facilities of border access points based on the notion of “security”. These checkpoint facilities are designed to be perceived as fortress like entries that promote a sense of hostility and separation between the two countries and its cultures. With the abundance of traffic between the two countries, action is needed to update the current countries’ entrance points to tailor to the amount of culture and connection within them. Humanization of these entrance points is facilitated by integrating components of cultural intervention in prominent ways to encourage interaction of a mixed culture, provide a sense of connection, and transparency.

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders Are Not Boundaries

Figure 3: Abrazo Ceremony in Laredo, Texas

Thesis Claim

Research by architects and precedents that use integration of the border as a connection point rather than a boundary, solidifies establishment of a notion of integration between two countries. The programmatic reconfiguration of the border access points needs to include factors of art, culture, and humanity to facilitate a more transparent border that will act as a new space that lives in the between of the two countries, that reflects the unique culture that is border towns. Using a framework for bridge programming, border cities can customize their own in between space to create a bridge focused on defining their own interconnected identities.

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders Are Not Boundaries

Figure 4: Laredo International Bridge 1

Chapter 1: Position of Thesis

The United States border mentality is one of separation and distinction between two entities. These notions promote the segregation of adjacent countries and people. The current facilities for border access that are situated along the entire United States – Mexico border are outdated points of entry that only allow for the pragmatic notions of fortitude and passage. Seen above, the pedestrian bridge Puente Internacional Numero ll Juarez-Lincoln Nuevo Laredo – Laredo in Laredo, Texas features administrative buildings at each end of the bridge for federal paperwork purposes.

With the appearance of these administrative buildings portraying a notion of fortitude and seclusion, the feeling of separation and disconnect between country, cultures, and people is prominent throughout the border access point.

The abundance of traffic that flows through the pedestrian and vehicle bridges has created standards of only efficiency functions through connection points. With this ideal in mind the design morphs into a basic form of connection that will not elevate the mandate of design or provide any cultural or philosophical importance to either country

Jaime Cesar Perez II

that it is meant to bridge. The programmatic problems within the administrative and federally distinct portions of these border access points are that they do not offer any ideals to the human factor of the border and only focus on the significance of data and security. The proximity of the bridges to the downtown areas in each of the sister cities gives a unique opportunity to be able to provide a straight passage into each counties’ people and cultures while promoting the economics of tourism.

Because of the societal implications that these bridges impact on the adjacent countries, there must be a humanization of the US – Mexico border to promote a sense of unity and inclusion for all people that use the connection points. These areas are called connection points and bridges in every sense of the conceptual notions that they should be upholding. These bridges should be the points in which culture and people can come together between two countries that hold mixed notions of connection and separation. By implementing programmatic changes throughout the border access points to include a prominence of culture and connection, this would create a more transparent border that allows for a more inclusive society that differs from the outdated norms that

the borders have been upholding for years. With the border being as porous and busy as it is, there should be an elevated mandate of these designs that could impact societies in beneficial ways while creating a more connected and smaller world in the process.

From the view of urbanism Teddy Cruz focuses on the importance of valuing society through the lens of architecture by enhancing the built environment to adapt to migration and the growing inequality between societies that are on a geographical parallel that keeps growing the divide. He explains how the current visualization of the US –Mexico border with a wall is providing the embodiment of hate and segregation, so it should be conceptualized as an image of

inclusion and community instead. Political factors that influence the shaping of the border and the path that the adjacent communities will take should be thought of in a global scale to move away from the rugged individualistic notions that the US and Mexico abide by constantly. (Cruz 2020)

Fernando Romero approaches the challenge of the border by calling for action to focus on the human aspect of the US –Mexico border while studying the complexity that comes with the commercial sector and the advancement of technology along the border. The transparency of the border is brought up by Romero as more of an unclear distinction to where the actual division should be whenever the two sides start to integrate together to the point of combination. This sense of border is more of a stance on political ideals and power sectors rather than the clear separation of two nations. (Romero 2008)

The importance of culture prominence throughout the border is brought up by Dr. Amelia Malagamba. Her focus on the existing prominence of artistic and community involvement along the border is stated as a notion to enforce when thinking about the border as a transparent area for the societies of the two nations to integrate seamlessly. With the artistic culture being a distinct difference between the two nations, each side of the border is perceived differently by the residents of each nation. With the amalgamation of cultures and people throughout the border creates spaces in which are clear distinctions of inclusive districts when approached without a sense of division. (Malagamba, Morrissey 2019)

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The current state of the US - Mexico border is approached by Roberto Alvarez from an anthropological viewpoint. His focus is how the border has changed throughout the years based on political events, challenges on national security, and the shaping of the border through the lens of ethnic inequality consideration. The different policies put into place after the tragedy on September 11, 2001 on the world trade center. After policy implementations shaped the border for fortitude and security, the notions of separation became more prominent in the name of national security.(Alvarez 2012)

By reviewing these projects that implement the transparency of borders between countries, the importance of blurring the distinct separations between people is apparent to a better sense of community and opportunity for connection. This is also an opportunity to provide a further functional

aspect to the administrative portion that is provided at each end of the existing borders. This additional aspect is an educational portion that would assist those crossing the border to learn about their destination and be proud of the prominence of their own culture flowing into a different country for others to appreciate and be educated in.

As it stands right now, the border access point facilities only provide the sister cities with an identity of migration and transportation. With the addition of a cultural institution aspect to these border access points; the borderlands of the sister cities will be transitioned from a passage identity to a transition point where the federal distinctions that are borders are so blurred that it becomes its own typology of cross-country borderlands. A typology that evokes an inclusive engagement from the communities of the parallel nations.

Figure 5: McAllen - Matamoros International Bridge

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

EXISTING BORDER WALL AND SITE LOCATIONS

Retrieved From: Border wall System. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.cbp.gov/bordersecurity/along-us-borders/border-wall-system

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Attack on World Trade Center Sep 2001

USA Patriot Act Oct 2001

Change Of Address Requirement 2001

Enhanced Border Security And Visa Entry Reform Act Nov 2001

Homeland Security Act Nov 2002

POLICY TIMELINE AFTER SEP. 11, 2001

The United States - Mexico border has not only changed throughout negotiations of tariffs, trading, and travel that only affects the sister cities within close proximity to the border. After the tragedy that occured to the world trade center on September 11, 2001, policy changes that affected national security were put into place. The overall affect of national security transitioned to fortifying the border and implementing stricter notions of accessibility and protection. These border security notions shaped the border perspective on both sides of the border to one of fortitude

and hostility towards the ideal of transparency and permeability. The transformation of the US Mexico border has been up for debate as the subject of border protection is prominent in the political field. The aspiration of the policies and laws is to fortify the border with a sense of seperation, instead of integration and observation. Border protection should not mean segregation and exclusion, but could be thought of as integrating the human aspect of two countries to reach a sense of trust and security integration.

Executive Order By President Bush: Citizen Eligibility For Foreign-born

Soldiers Jul 2002

The Aviation Transportation And Security Act Nov 2002

Proposition 200: Arizona Nov 2004

Real Id Act May 2005

Intelligence Reform And Terrorism Prevention Dec 2004

Border Protection, Antiterrorism, And Illegal

Immigration Control Act: The Sensenbrenner Bill, H.r. 4437 Dec 2005

Operation Jump Start: National Guard Deployed To The Border May 2006

Timeline Retrieved From: Romero, F. (2008).

Hyperborder: The contemporary U.S.-Mexico border and its future. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

Figure 6: OMA Simone Veil Bridge

Chapter 2: Precedent

Precedents and literature selections were based on trying to get an understanding of the connection and engagement of people that are defined to be seperated by a border that was established by government or geological boundaries. The aspiration to make the border conditions as transparent as possible to allow for the bridging of cultures and people was achieved by many of the following studied projects.

With projects that include federal facilities that accommodate two different countries at the same time, the San Diego airport was an example of integrating function to benefit two countries at the same time. By using a internal bridge to close the gap between the programmatic aspects of an airport, transparency is acheived by allowing access to the transportation center for both countries as the corridor within the airport is the most prominent element that is situated right over the border.

A proposal for blurring the border of Ukraine is situated to become the prominent form that will encourage invitation and do away with the normal notion of creating a structure of division. The functionality of the proposal provides an auto terminal that will benefit both countries the same sense that will integrate its people along with a pragmatic purpose.

An installation of a teeter totter along the existing wall between the US and Mexico borderlands, it provides a humanization of a hostile structure that is a prominent display of the seperation want within the two communities.

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Title: Bridging Museum

U.S.–Mexico Border Museum and Bridge

Architect: Fernando Romero

Location: Ciudad Juarez - El Paso

Date: 2001

Enterprise, F. (n.d.). Bridging museum. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.fr-ee.org/project/9/Bridging+Museum

A proposed museum that will act as a bridging point between the US and Mexico to integrate cultural prominance along the border. The establishment of a cultural enrichent program connects the pwople of the two countries to provide a culturally rich experience rather than an ordinary pedestrian bridge.

Title: Blurred Border

Auto Terminal at Country’s Border

Architect: O.M. Shumelda

Location: Ukraine

Date: 2019

Harrouk, C. (2020, January 03). Blurred border, a conceptual intervention where form complements the essence. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.archdaily.com/931266/blurred-border-a-conceptal-intervention-where-form-complements-the-essence

This proposal aims to attempt to create a transparent and porous boundary while providing a funtional benefit of an auto terminal for both countries in which it borders. The aesthetic of a non hostile border provides an inviting node rather than a deterrent at the borderlands.

Title: Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridges

Cross Border Corridor in Airport

Architect: Ricardo Legorreta

Location: Otay, USA

Date: 2016

Eleanor Gibson | 1 November 2016 10 comments. (2017, September 29). Legorreta defies Trump with Purple bridge Across US-Mexico border. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.dezeen.com/2016/11/01/cross-border-xpress-cpx-bridge-terminal-otay-usa-tijuana-mexico-architecture-legorreta/

The integration of the proximity of the border is key to create a functional programmatic aspect within this airport. The main airport is located within the US and the runway and gates are ocated in mexico. By providing this bridging, it creates a semless transition between countries and a consolidation of facilities.

Title: Teeter-Totter Wall

Humanization of Hostile Architecture

Architect: Ronald Rael

Location: El Paso, USA

Date: 2019

Teeter-Totter wall. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/beazley-designs-of-the-year/transport/teeter-totter-wall

An attempt to humanize the border wall between the US and Mexico. Integration of teeter totters within the wall for the community in both countries to use and promote a sense of inclusion of all people, no matter the physical circumstances. This implementation uses the existing deterrent and repurposes it into a communal spot.

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Chapter 3: Bridge Programming Matrix

The bridge programming matrix is a framework set to establish bridges that incorporate the uniqueness that is the border zone by taking into consideration the community aspects that are housed between two countries. This framework is used to cater each bridge, along the U.S.- Mexico border, to the needs of the bridging cities to create an

interconnected middle ground in order to blur borders and humanize the existing conditions. These notions are implemented in 4 seperate border locations. 3 of these interventions are a schematic exercise of how flexible each bridge design could be by providing 2 options for each condition.

Market Programming

Units for market vendors (Flea Market style)

Patio areas for displays

Duty free shopping

Sports Programming

Full Basketball court or 2

Half Basketball courts

Soccer goals or small Field

Public restrooms

Batting cages

Fishing Programming

Tackle shop

Piers and walkways on the river level

Seating and pole holders

Grill areas

Amphitheater Programming

Seating with a stage

Smaller stages across the bridge

Storage areas

Shading as acoustics

Vehicle Delivery Trail

Instrument delivery

Art Delivery

Ambulance Access

Art Gallery Programming

Full gallery with lighting

Open gallery that can move around

Food Areas

Accessible path to food truck area

Dining areas

Bar areas

Housing Programming

Small temporary housing units

Balconies to the outside of bridge

Community areas for clusters

Plaza

Outdoor walking area

Gathering and community areas

Lower access balconies

Asylum Programming

Welcome center

Offices for CBP

Processing center

Museum type entrance

Essential Programming

Healthcare services

Dentist’s offices

Doctor's offices

Clinics

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

RESIDENCE BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENTFOOD LANDSCAPE MOVEMENT

Figure 7: McAllen - Matamoros Aerial Imagery

Chapter 4: Site Interventions Across Border Towns

Brownsville - Matamoros

The Brownsville - Matamoros border focuses mainly on the prominence of migrant populations that cross through this threshold border towns. Using the bridge programming matrix 2 schematic interventions were prepared that implement the housing aspect along the bridge in the most prominent volumes with business volumes as accessory spaces. The entertainment and food volumes face inwards onto the bridge to facilitate event that include the participa-

tion of both cities into the center of the bridge. THe twi iterations are examples on how the housing and business sectors of the programming could be utilized to form spacial relationships for the unique border culture. The bridge is oriented at a more diagonal angle than the existing bridges across the two cities to be able to house more programming to be utilized by the two countries.

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McAllen - Reynosa

The McAllen - Reynosa border schematic programming for a custom bridge is based on the arts prominence along these border cities and the forming concept of creating an overpass bridge with the import - export facilities ability to cleate an intersection with the social aspect. The two interventions showcase infrastructure for implementation of arts along the bridge made by residents of the adjacent cities and countries. There is an implementation of small

residential volumes to house the artists that are providing the service of celebrating culture through decoration of the bridge. The interventions are based on large gallery setting as the bridge itself acts as a canvas to be modified and adapted to different events and art styles. The schematic design showcases food facilities on either end of the bridge for each side to provide their own food markets.

Eagle Pass - Piedras Negras

The Eagle Pass - Piedras Negras border intervention schematic was based on the importance of the plaza in mexico along the river. A plaza implementation was added for the use of the American portion of the site. One option of the intervention houses a plaza that is located on the bridge for both cities to use, with a large business volume located along the perimeter to be visited by those using the plaza. In the first iteration, the addition of a seating venue for overlook-

ing baseball games along the American side of the river was added. The three point design was to bring in more activity to the cross country plaza. The second iteration was focused on extending the plaza on the Mexican side of the site into the American side to create a linear plaza that is accessible to both countries. This intervention would incorporate businesses on one side of the bridge to encourage interaction with local businesses from both cities.

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders

Are Not Boundaries

Figure 8: Laredo - Nuevo Laredo Aerial Imagery

Chapter 5: Proposed Project - Site Selection

Laredo - Nuevo Laredo

Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas pride themselves on creating events that incorporate the unique border culture that intigrates both cities. The cities’ festivities include that of mariachi competitions, basketball tournaments, food competitions, fairs, etc. and draw in tourism as part of its main identity. This intertwined notion of culture sets the site up to be utilized as the festivities are, but in a year round fashion that would in turn blur the boundary that is the border to encourage the interaction between countries. With an outlet mall

located immediately on the border, traffic from Mexico flows into the United States on a daily basis for shopping and interactions with the downtown area. Implementing more business along the river would encorage more foot traffic on the proposed bridge and embody the ongoing interactions that is the border towns. These notions of interaction would go beyond just transactions and import/export into the social realm and give spacial definition to the culture along the border.

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

Market

Chapter 6: Proposed Project Program

Leasable units located ramping up each end of the bridge to house a cultural market fueled by citizens of both countries.

Food Trucks

Parking area provided for food trucks from either country to set up with seating areas nearby. Located along main path to promote interaction.

Grills

Seating area along north edge of bridge. Grills are provided to be used by occupants in vicinity.

Integrating existing notions of grilling along the river from Mexico.

Bocce Ball

Three Bocce Ball courts, along north edge of bridge, to integrate a unique competitive game into the community that is the border.

Basketball

Basketball court with seating is located in the center of bridge to host cross-country competitions as well as casual play.

Playground

Four playground sets located next to basketball court underneath shade structure, continuing notion of movement and interaction between people of both countries.

Soccer

Two soccer goals for practicing close range shooting are located behind food trucks and are provided with seating along the edge.

Fishing

Fishing platform located along lower level of bridge. Fishing store located underneath bridge to promote usage of the river and a more interconnected gathering area at the lower river level.

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

Schematic Programming Sketch

Schematic Form Sketch

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Borders Are Not Boundaries

1. Market Areas 2. Bocce Ball Courts 3. Playground 4. Basketball Court

5. Seating and Grills6. Soccer Area 7. Food Area 8. Patio Market

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders Are Not Boundaries

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders Are Not Boundaries

Jaime Cesar Perez II

Borders Are Not Boundaries

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Citations

Alvarez, R. (2012). Borders and Bridges: Exploring a new conceptual architecture For (u.s.-mexico) Border Studies. The Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology, 17(1), 24-40. doi:10.1111/j.1935-4940.2012.01191.x

Antonio, S. (2020, October 01). Laredo set to get 40 extra miles of new border wall in 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/laredo-set-to-get-40-extra-miles-of-new-border-wall-in-2021

Arreola, D. D. (2005). Hispanic spaces, Latino places community and cultural diversity in contemporary America. Austin: University of Texas Press.

Billions to be invested in border wall in Laredo, TX. (2020, October 01). Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://mexico-now.com/billions-to-be-invested-in-border-wall-in-laredo-tx/

Boddington, A., & Cruz, T. (1999). Architecture of the borderlands. Chichester: Wiley, Academy Ed.

Border wall System. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/border-wall-system

Cruz, T. (2020, August 14). Access all areas: The porosity of a hostile border. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/access-all-areas-the-porosity-of-a-hostile-border

Enterprise, F. (n.d.). Bridging museum. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://www.fr-ee.org/project/9/Bridging+Museum

Hazelton, A. J. (2018). Borderwall as Architecture: A manifesto for the U.S.-Mexico Boundary. The International Trade Journal, 32(5), 491-493. doi:10.1080/08853908.2018.1478348

Morrissey, K. G., & Warner, J. H. (2019). Border spaces: Visualizing the U.S.-Mexico frontera. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press.

Romero, F. (2008). Hyperborder: The contemporary U.S.-Mexico border and its future. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Teeter-Totter wall. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2021, from https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/beazley-designs-of-the-year/transport/teeter-totter-wall

Thelmadatter, Leigh. “After Nearly Two Centuries, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo Stay Intertwined.” Mexico News Daily, 19 Dec. 2020, mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/laredo-borderplex/.

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