Lower Dream State

A Race for Environmental Preservation 
Baja California Peninsula, Mexico 2017

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“This geographic identity has roots in the indigenous history, though the very nature of survival in many of these places depends on a close relationship with the land, its natural resources, and the set of knowledge and practice that has accumulated and adapted to the distinct landscape of the oases through time.” - Rafael de Grenade

Untethered to the bulk of Mexico, Baja California is a parched island; its isolation is reminiscent of the numerous cartographic errors depicting the “Island of California.” An arid and rugged mountainous ridge, the region is home to more than one hundred inland and coastal oases. This project will explore the development patterns, construction methods, and resiliency strategies already in place, to understand the impacts of urban- and tourism-related growth. Seeking a systems approach, we will diagram and document the interconnected relationships of people and places.

Mapped as relationships, our work becomes an anticipatory tool to understand the potential impact of external influences. Forever constrained by limited water availability, what happens to the region once desalinization plants become the norm? Two plants were recently completed in Baja Sur and one is under development in Rosarito Beach. Undoubtedly, more potable and predictable water flows will change the historic development and resiliency practices. We anticipate that our investigation will uncover potential opportunities for the communities to understand these impacts and take steps to maximize their benefit without damaging traditional practices.