A090
Border Wall Aesthetics
Border Security
C21-08
Dr. Miguel Díaz-Barriga
Dr. Margaret Dorsey
September 27, 2013
Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA
CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA
members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material
of construction or any method or manner of
handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
___________________________________________
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of
this presentation.
Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written
permission of the speaker is prohibited.
© Miguel Diaz-Barriga and Margaret Dorsey 2013
Course
Description
The architecture of the U.S.-Mexico Border Wall is not uniform but rather
takes on a variety of forms: from helicopter landing mats and Normandy
barriers to bollards and sheer concrete facades. In this multi-media
presentation we examine the architecture of Border Walls with a special
emphasis on the border wall in South Texas. What does the architecture of
the border wall say about state policies towards border security and border
regions? How has opposition to the border wall in South Texas played a
role in transforming the Wall's architecture? The presentation ends with a
consideration of border wall designs that take into considerations security
issues, the natural environment, binational relations, and design
aesthetics. Architectural designs for "Walls" that create open borders are
also considered.
Learning
Objectives
At the end of the this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the impact of the Real I.D. Act on democratic processes and
border wall design and construction.
2. Describe how policymakers have conceptualized the U.S. side of the U.S.
Mexican border as a war zone and its impact on border wall architecture.
3. Articulate alternative border wall designs.
4. Discuss the reasons that South Texans opposed border wall construction and
the impact of resistance on border wall architecture.
Border Fence Legislation
1990s Legislation
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Right (1996)
Attorney General to build fencing in San Diego.
Granted powers to acquire land and waive some environmental laws.
Resulted in 14 miles of fencing to Pacific Ocean.
6
Border Fence Legislation
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Right of 1996
--Attorney General to build fencing in San Diego.
--Granted powers to acquire land and waive some environmental
laws.
--Resulted in 14 miles of fencing to Pacific Ocean.
Secure Fence Act of 2006
--Secretary of DHS to construct 670 miles of border wall.
--Tecate, California, Calexico, CA-Douglas, AZ, Columbus, New
Mexico-El Paso, TX, Del Rio, TX-Eagle Pass, TX and from Laredo to
Brownsville, Texas
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008
--Secretary of DHS has discretion on where to construct border wall.
--Deadline of December 31, 2008 to construct wall in high impact areas
--Required consultation (but consultation not well defined)
7
Real I.D. Act
Passed by Congress on May 11, 2005 about security and authenticity of
driver’s licenses and identification cards along with issues related to
immigration and terrorism.
Federally approved driver’s licenses, for example for boarding planes,
not granted to undocumented individuals
For Border Wall construction:
--Allows waivers of any and all laws for the construction of barriers and
roads.
--Give the Secretary of Homeland Security sole discretion in waiving
laws.
--Restricts court review of waiver decisions to cases alleging a violation
of the Constitution of the United States.
8
Democracy
and
Border Wall Architecture
Border Walls throughout the world are constructed as responses to non-state
actors, undocumented immigrants, human traffickers, terrorists, and
smugglers. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall border walls have proliferated.
Most are constructed under special legislation, such as the Real I.D. act, or as
a state mandated emergency.
Public debate about the construction of such walls is often limited and the
design or architecture of such walls is not a subject of public scrutiny.
The construction of walls centers on military models and military surplus.
9
Border Wall
Spain/Morocco
Text
10
Israel Border Wall Design Option
Text
11
US-Mexico Border Wall(s)
Landing Mats
Technology: Vietnam
--Portable landing pads for helicopters.
--Corrugated steel about 10 feet high.
--DHS has replaced in most areas.
--Easy to cut through.
12
Normandy Barriers
Technology: WWII
--Used mainly in Arizona to stop
vehicle traffic.
--Easy to circumvent or build a
ramp over.
13
San Diego Double Fencing
14
Bollard-Metal Poles South Texas
15
Border Wall in Texas
16
Border Wall Alternatives
Architect Ronald Rael
--Green Border Concept
--Binational Cooperation
--Wall provides solar energy,
water purification, communications
and trade.
17
Open Border Design
Open border concept, open
borders are not empty spaces.
Vertical tubes create a glass
forest that bring light to
underground tunnels.
Tunnels facilitate traffic while
walkways above ground are for
pedestrians.
18
Border Wall-Levee
19
Granjeno, Texas
20
Bisection 2:
University of Texas Brownsville
21
Bisection III-Nature Preserves
22
This concludes The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Course
Miguel Díaz-Barriga
[email protected]
Margaret Dorsey
[email protected]