EUREKA! replaces the mexico-US barrier for a street with a vibrant free trade market

as the world becomes more globalized, the international community needs more connection between countries rather than disconnection by building walls. there are about 2000 miles of border between mexico and the united states, where about 500 miles are separated by barriers.

EUREKA!’s ‘unbuild the wall’ project replaces separation with connection

these barriers do not bring long-term solutions for drug trafficking or illegal immigration. the drug smugglers will find another way to enter the US and immigrants will find more extreme ways to cross the border. the international organization of immigration has reported a death toll of about 40,000 civilians from attempting to cross the mexico-united states border since 2000. reece jones, professor at the university of hawaii, has suggested that the border is not effective against drug traffickers since they have resources to find other ways to smuggle drugs into the US. also, these barriers divide family members in cities, having a negative effect on local economy, and create long-term damage for the environment.

the proposal includes replacing the wall with a street where both sides of the border can benefit from

los angeles based platform EUREKA!‘s ‘unbuild the wall’ project located in nogales, arizona, tries to bound the united states and mexico, by sharing their resources and creating a collaborative environment between the two countries. if the wall is replaced with a street; the families would be reunited, companies could invest and use local and international labor force, and environmental damage would be reversed. imagine a street with a vibrant free market where innovation would flourish and both sides of the border would benefit from it.

EUREKA!’s ‘unbuild the wall’ tries to bound the united states and mexico, by creating a collaborative environment

the proposition focuses on a main street between the two countries that is further connected inland with a series of secondary streets which form a free market village. at the main interstate road, there would be check points to monitor the import and export products. this way, the border patrols and immigration officers would be stationed at the strategic points where circulation infrastructure between countries are located.

Unbuild The Wall _ Parametric City
Eureka

EUREKA!’s ‘unbuild the wall’ project would include housing, offices, schools, factories, and amenities in the free market village. this way, the border is not the pathway anymore but a destination that calls for opportunity. people would migrate to this area for job opportunities, better education, and a higher quality of life. there would be visitors looking for different parts and pieces inside the free market to create their own invention and bring their design to reality.

creative pod models proposed on local stone along the mexico-united states border area

Unbuild the Wall _ Parametric Pods
Eureka

section of the creative pod

section of the free market main street

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom