"A basic truth about the cultural geography of the California border [is this]—two very different city-building traditions come crashing into each other at one of the most contentious international boundary lines on the planet. In this collision, in the shocking contrast of landscapes, lies one critical ingredient of the border’s place identity."
Les territoires de la mondialisation: les frontières. Une frontière qui se ferme et pourtant, une urbanisation continue mais contrastée.
It is interesting to see how this border has transformed from a fence to a guideline and back over time. Researchers of these two cities can learn a lot about how the events of one country affect the other country, such as in the case of 9/11. This place is also a great place to study culture because it is here where researchers can study a melding of two cultures in action. Overall, this area gives great insight into how two bordering countries affect each other politically, economically, socially, and culturally.
Also have heard stories of Tijuana...you know what happens there stays there. Much like the Kennedy's in the US, Tijuana got its initial fame and wealth from the alcohol trade when the US started prohibition in the 1920, albeit the Kennedy family did it illegally with bootlegging. Interesting contrast of building styles and cutures. The space on the map makes this area what it is. Without San Diego, Tijuana wouldn't be the same and San Diego wouldn't be the same without Tijuana. This area also shows a contrast with the Canadian border. Little or no fences on that border, but here, there are two in some spots, an old onecand a new post 9/11 one. Why here then are there fences? Culture too different? Is it for racial reasons? Is it just the drug trade and cartels that are all over the area the reason? Is it US drug policy that makes the fence necessary? Is it the US policy on immigration that the the fence a necessity? Is it the worse economic conditions in Mexico or the violence that is forcing the people to run across the border? Lots of questions and right now it looks like nobody has any real answers.