CONTINENTAL HUB
CONTINENTAL HUB: A prospective reflexion upon Infrastructure, energy and territorial transformations in the Triple Frontier Region (AR-BR-PY)
THESIS PREP SEMINAR. Thesis proposal. Teaching Staff: Hooper + Haber - Tomson. Juanca Cristaldo - MAUD 2013 (Candidate). Thesis Advisors: Eve Blau + Hashim Sarkis.
Intro
The Triple Frontier Region, comprises the cities of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), and Puerto Yguazu (Argentina). Currently, the combined population of three cities adds to 806,704 inhabitants. In spite of this relatively reduced size, the Region holds strategic relevance on a continental scale. Since the 1960’s the region has been both the site and the engine of large territorial transformations. These transformations are linked with the construction of three key infrastructural pieces: • The Friendship Bridge, connecting the Paraguayan hinterland with Brazil and the Atlantic ocean (1956), • Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam (1975-1985) the largest hydroelectric Dam in the world after Three Gorges, and still today the most productive dam in terms of energy generation, • and the foundation of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay (1957). The Triple Frontier provides energy for the large industrial and urban centers in Brazil, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The region is also relevant in terms of international commerce, tourism, agriculture and cultural diversity.
The late articulation of the upper River Plate basin
Cantino Planisfere - 1502. The vertical line is the limit established in the Tordesillas Treaty, dividing the colonies of America between the empire of Portugal and the Kingdom of Spain. Since each side has its own interpretations about the exact location of the line, the ocupation of the interior hinterland of South America was always contentious. Finally, an agreement of both sides established the policy of “uti posedetis” as legal parameter to define posession. Uti Posedetis (Latin for “as you possess”) is the principal by which however occupies a territory first has legal claim. This contributes to explain two characteristics of this territory: first, why it was articulated with infrastructure so recently, in the second half of the 20th century; second, the relevance that projects of urbanism and infrastructure have had not only in social and economical terms, but in the very definition of political and administrative boundaries. Itaipu Dam, the Friendship Bridge and Ciudad del Este are only the most recent chapters of a long process of territorial configuration.
Proposal
In this thesis I intend to explore what possible role(s) can infrastructure (either hard, soft, or social 1) play in the consolidation of a continental node of development? Specifically, what infrastructural projects can become strategic pieces to promote spatial, social and cultural integration among Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, in the Triple Frontier region?
Relevance
In part, the relevance of this research project is linked with the significance of the analized urban node. This is a region that holds the potential to become a continental Hub, fostering economic development and cultural integration in the national territories of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The claim is that carefully calibrated pieces of infrastructure can be inserted into this multinational urban fabric, contributing to consolidate one node, relevant on continental scale. The concept of one node versus three small border cities. Furthermore, this research can engage with ongoing discussions and projects: The region is at the center of two infrastructural axis defined by the multinational initiative known as IIRSA: 2 The Capricorn Axis, that stretches on the East West direction, from the Atlantic to the Pacific; and the Paraguay Paranรก Waterway Axis extending on the North South direction. IIRSA is now promoting projects on these axes and this research will contribute with new concepts and ideas. On academic terms, this research hopes to contribute with collective efforts such as the South American Project 3 (SAP) organized by professor Felipe Correa at the GSD, with the support of The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. SAP is a collective and multidisciplinary effort to produce research about infrastructure and territorial integration.
The Bridge
In the foreground, Brazil; in the background, Paraguay. The Parana River separates both countries. In the Paraguayan side the Customs building and the international Highway are under constructions. Note the endless extension of Atlantic Forest. Fifty years later, almost all of that Forest have been transformed into agricultural land.
Overview
The fact that the Triple Border Region was completely transformed with the construction of the Hydroelectric Itaipú Dam, the Friendship Bridge and the new urban node of Ciudad del Este has been widely recognized in research works, mostly linked with the fields of sociology, economy and History. As we have mentioned previously, these infrastructural pieces were built in a very brief time spam, from the late 1960’s to early 1980’s. Another well established concept is that in the 20th century, a conscious territorial project was developed by the governments of Paraguay and Brazil. This allowed the former country to overcome the total dependence that it have had so far from the Port of Buenos Aires as the gate to the Atlantic Ocean and the world markets. At the same time, the later could gain access to a reliable and urgently needed energy source to foster its own industrial developing, while tipping the balance of regional power in South America, on its own favor. This spatial and political project produced a several desired outcomes – energy and economic growth -, and a number of negative externalities that affect the region even today. In turn, these outcomes, the transformations induced by the projects are very broad. They include the migration of Brazilians to Paraguayan territory developing mechanized agriculture, the “gray-black” commerce that connects Ciudad del Este with São Paulo and big cities in Brazil, the displacement of Paraguayan peasants toward Asunción and other Paraguayan urban centers, and even with a vast process of deforestation in Paraguay’s eastern region.
The Dam
ItaipĂş produces 6 times more energy than the Hoover Dam. The lake formed by it extends 160 kilometers upstream. -
Frontier of Knowledge
There is a clear gap in terms of planning and design when this region is discussed, represented and conceived: It is still, in practical terms perceived as three cities in three different national states. Even when the social, cultural, economic and ecological dynamics of the three cities are intertwined into a single and larger urban entity, this has not been fully recognized either by governments or planning institutions. One example of this conceptual gap is the new project for the Universidad de la Integraci贸n Latinoamericana (UNILA). UNILA was conceived as Federal University oriented to LatinAmerican studies during the government of Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The project for the University campus - designed by Oscar Niemeyer and his team and currently under construction - it is a self-contained entity to be built entirely on Brazilian territory. This is so even when perhaps; a decentralized scheme to be implemented in the three sides of the national borders could have contributed more adequately to the aspirations of a University born to foster cultural integration. The reconceptualization of relevant infrastructural pieces such as UNILA it is one of the possible topics that could be considered as a theme for a urban design project.
Format of the Thesis
The thesis will combine texts, mapping analysis and projects.
Methodological approach
A triangulation of methods is proposed, combining historical research, critical mapping, and design. The historical research will concentrate on the urban and territorial development of the region, focusing on the infrastructure as a catalyst factor. The critical mapping and the design stages will demand the creation of a spatial database for the region.
The City
The project of a new city - Ciudad del Este, formerly Puerto Presidente Stroessner - it was a vital piece in the project of connecting the interior hinterland with the Atlantic Ocean. The project was developed by Guillermo Hellmers and its team. Hellmers it is a paraguayan architect with a Master in Urban Planning at UCLA Berkeley (58).
Approach on data collection
In this thesis, a diversity of different data formats and collection methods will be used. a) For the historical analysis of the evolution of the territory, we will relay on secondary and primary sources. • Secondary sources: Literature review from different disciplines (geography, history, sociology,). Statistical data that could provide information about key aspects of the evolution of the territory such as population, density, income, GDP, etc. This statistical info will be linked most likely to national institutions in Brazil (IBGE), Paraguay (DGEEC) and Argentina (INDEC). • Primary sources: In terms of historical research I plan to make unstructured interviews with key actors. I believe that this can contribute significantly with the research, because some of the professionals that developed major roles in the infrastructural projects that I am analyzing are still alive and can provide valuable information. b) For the case studies, only secondary sources. Literature review in relevant case studies that can help to frame the problematic or provide a broader frame. Specifically I will research about two multinational border cases in urban studies: Basel (France, Germany, Switzerland) and Tijuana – San Diego (Mexico, US). c) Spatial analysis: Since I will develop a process of critical mapping I will relay in secondary sources, and hopefully at some level in primary sources, such as original drawings of the infrastructural pieces, city maps for Ciudad del Este, or other original documents. I am currently searching for historical maps, aerial pictures, satellite imagery, shp files from diverse databases such as Diva and Geocloud, etc).
Unforseen consequences
Due to the accelerated process of territorial occupation, only in the Paraguayan side, an estimated of 70% of the Atlantic forest has been lost, replaced mainly by agricultural land.
PARAGUAY / Ciudad del Este
BRAZIL / Foz do Iguaรงu
ARGENTINA / Puerto Yguazu
PARAGUAY / Ciudad del Este
BRAZIL / Foz do Iguaรงu
ARGENTINA / Puerto Yguazu
One of the claims of this research is that the Triple Frontier have produced a vast territorial impact, with a very schematic infrastructure. The question now is what agency can urban design have in order to contribute in the consolidation of this potential Hub. How can projects contribute to foster integration and cope with some of the negative exteranalities that the region currently faces?.
Not three border cities, but one continental Hub.
Itaipú Dam and lake
Acaray Dam and lake
PARAGUAY / Ciudad del Este
BRAZIL / Foz do Iguaçu
International Highway
Bridge and Customs (PY + BR) Lake Old Airport
General Caballero Avenue
Bridge and Customs (BR + AR)
ARGENTINA / Puerto Yguazu
Literature review
The literature review will be organized upon three main sections: • the first part will be a research on books, articles and dissertations, referring to the territorial development of the Triple Frontier. Preliminary list of texts for this section:
Bandeira, Moniz. 2006. La formación de los estados en la cuenca del plata : Argentina, brasil, uruguay, paraguay. Tiempos de cambio. 1.th ed. Buenos Aires: Grupo Editorial Norma. Blau, Eve, Ivan Rogić Nehajev 1943-, Ivan Rupnik, and Harvard University Graduate School,of Design. 2007. Project zagreb : Transition as condition, strategy, practice. Barcelona ;New York: Actar D. Bruniard, Enrique. 1993. Paraguay : Ensayo de interpretación geográfica. Vol. no. 27. Resistencia (Argentina): Instituto de Investigaciones Geohistóricas :Conicet-Fundanord. Doratioto, Francisco, 1956-. 2002. Maldita guerra : Nova história da guerra do paraguai. 1a. reimpr. ed. São Paulo, Brazil: Companhia das Letras. Menezes, Alfredo da Mota, 1944-. 1987. A herança de stroessner : Brasil-paraguai, 1955-1980. Campinas, SP: Papirus Livraria Editora. Miranda Silva, Fidel. 2007. Historia de alto paraná : Formaciones de los pueblos de paraná : Homenaje a ciudad presidente stroessner por su 50 aniversario 03/02/1957-03/02/2007. 1.th ed. Ciudad del Este, Alto Paraná, Paraguay: Centro de Pioneros de Ciudad del Este. Miranda, Anibal. 1988. Paraguay y las obras hidroeléctricas binacionales. Vol. 9. Asunción, Paraguay: Lector. Pereira, Osny Duarte. 1974. Itaipu, prós e contras : Breve análise da história das relações entre argentina, uruguai, paraguai e brasil e ensaio político-jurídico sobre o aproveitamento hidroelétrico do rio paraná. Série estudos sôbre o brasil e a américa latina ; v. 22. Vol. . 22. Rio de Janeiro: Paz e Terra. Rivarola, Domingo M. 1991. Una sociedad conservadora ante los desafíos de la modernidad. Asunción del Paraguay: Ediciones y Arte. Ynsfrán, Edgar L. 1990. Un giro geopolítico : El milagro de una ciudad. Asunción, Paraguay: Instituto Paraguayo de Estudios Geopolíticos e Internacionales.
• the second part will be a research on graphic material that can support a process of critical mapping: aerial imagery, maps, satellite photos, gis shapefiles etc. The spatial scope of this information is multiscalar (River Plate Basin, Brasil, Argentina and Paraguay, the node of the Triple Frontier, etc). Preliminary list of sources for this section:
Harvard Worldmap project http://worldmap.harvard.edu/ David Rumsey map collection http://www.davidrumsey.com Instituto Geográfico Militar de Paraguay. Harvard map collection: http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/maps/collections/digital.cfm#digital_images Cloudmade: http://downloads.cloudmade.com/ Diva: http://www.diva-gis.org/Data Geocommunity: http://data.geocomm.com/catalog/PA/group103.html
• the third part will be a research on books, articles and dissertations that also have reflected upon the relationships among infrastructure, energy and territorial development. Preliminary list of sources for this section: New Geographies 2: Landscapes of Energy de Vries, Christopher. 2011. Europe’s Liquid Commons – Towards a Public Territorial Infrastructure. MIT D Space. Manzi, Gabriel. 2009. As cidades e os Rios: o Caso Latino-Americano da Hidrovia Paraguai-Paraná-Prata.
Next steps
• Contextualize the case study of the three borders region, by showing examples of other places with analogue conditions (San Diego – Tijuana border between USA and Mexico, or the Basel region – border between Switzerland, Germany and France). • Keep on researching about graphic and cartographic databases that can contribute to the mapping process. • Determinate other possible themes for a Urban Design project, different from the University now quoted in the research. Which would be other possible relevant projects to consolidate the Three Borders as a continental node?. • Research what other territorial projects are being planned now for this region, by the states of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, independently or in cooperation. Specific relevance shall be given to the IIRSA initiative, a project for the integration of infrastructure on continental scale. • Engage my research project into a broader disciplinary discussion about Urban Design, infrastructure and Regional Planning. For this I am considering to work in cooperation with Oscar Malaspina and James Whitten, who are also developing researches with similar scope.
Schedule
The following is a tentative schedule for the activities to be acomplished in the context of this thesis during the spring semester.
Tasks 1 Eat, Sleep, Run, Family, general state of happiness. 2 Finish IRB 3 Interviews with key actors (Skype, telephone) 4 Consolidation of GIS and Cartographic Database 5 Literature Review 6 Meeting with advisers 7 Trip to the Site? To be confirmed with advisers. 8 Working on text 9 Meeting with advisers 10 Edition, revision of text. 11 Meeting with advisers 12 Critical Mapping 13 Urban Design Project 14 Meeting with advisers 15 Printing Books, boards – Model ? 16 Final presentation slides
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Notes
1 These are rough instrumental concepts: by Hard Infrastructure I mean what we usually associate with the notion: bridges, roads, etc. Built pieces. By Soft Infrastructure I mean performing systems artificially produced, such as parks or agricultural lands, reforestation areas, etc. By social infrastructure I mean basically institutions that create social capital, such as schools or universities. 2 IIRSA: Iniciativa para la Integración de la Infraestructura Regional Sudamericana, or Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America. “The initiative is a result of the Meeting of Presidents of South America that took place on August 2000, at Brasília. On the occasion, the presidents of the region reached an agreement to implement joint actions to foster the process of political, social and economic integration in South America. This includes the modernization of regional infrastructure, and specific actions to stimulate the integration and development on isolated sub-regions.” Available at: http://www.iirsa.org//Institucional.asp?CodIdioma=ESP 3 http://www.sap-network.org/