“Los Parques del Muro” Reclaiming residual spaces along the border wall

The international border between Tijuana and San Diego is defined by a metal wall that separates not only two nations but also the region’s ecological systems, urban fabric, and public realm.

Tijuana faces a significant shortage of green and public spaces while also experiencing severe congestion associated with daily cross-border travel. Despite the strong social and economic interdependence between both cities, the region relies on only two ports of entry that primarily prioritize private vehicles.

In response to these challenges, this master plan proposes transforming the residual land along the border wall into parks and public spaces. As Tijuana’s urban growth has expanded along and directly adjacent to the border, these once-peripheral areas have become part of the city’s urban fabric. By responding to the specific context of each site, the proposal creates opportunities for neighborhood parks, recreational areas, and new border crossings that accommodate pedestrians and non-motorized transportation.

Rather than intervening on the wall itself, the proposal activates the spaces alongside it, adapting each intervention to its surrounding neighborhood while creating a cohesive regional landscape. By transforming a landscape of division into one of connection, the master plan expands access to public space, strengthens environmental resilience, improves sustainable mobility, and reinforces the long-standing cultural and economic relationship between Tijuana and San Diego.

The Wall Museum is an architectural space that engages with the region’s most emblematic physical feature: the Border Wall. It is a binational museum that chronicles our shared history and dynamics, as well as the history of the wall and the significant events that have unfolded at this site. The visitor experience is designed as a game that allows people to cross the dividing line repeatedly. The design creates a series of views looking toward both sides of the border—as well as from the exact point of division—revealing the urban connection between San Diego and Tijuana. Subject to appropriate security and logistical measures, the proposal envisions allowing foreign visitors to cross the border through the building itself. The overarching goal is to provide the region with a space that tells our story—a new recreational venue that celebrates our existing cultural and economic symbiosis.