Control Through Design

Abstract

What is a border? Does a border depend on the site or the people that live there? Is a border just a governmental idea of where their domain exists to? This thesis is an investigation into what the qualities of a border and how need to be made more adaptable and human-friendly for the twenty first century. That the border must consists of elements that not only act as a way of protecting the inhabitants of a country, but further must act as a way of welcoming others into a country. Borders crossing points are an important part to any community to which they exist. They create the moment that welcomes and ushers a person into a country. However, not all borders put the same emphasis on the introduction of people to the environment. This is the case between the United States-Mexico Border where there is a facility which sole purpose is to check the identification and paperwork of those that come through it. Compare this to the United States and Canada where the opposite to be true. Here is the world’s longest unbroken border between two neighboring countries. Throughout many sections along the border there is nothing to introduce a person from one country to the next other that a sign telling of the significance of the point they are crossing. During the exploration suggestion about how a site and its characteristics; including people, geography, and connections from one area to the next; must be taken into consideration in order to properly identify the point to which one enters a country. That it is only through the culmination of many different ideas is a country able to truly embrace others; welcoming them in to be an integral part of the culture that exists. A country cannot truly exist without the want and need for other countries to explore their land. In today’s globalized society the need for the interaction of other cultures is of extreme importance. That it is through the relations of countries; whether that is through trade or entertainment of others; that they will continue to develop and grow. This therefore means that a border cannot rely on its main purpose of protection, but grow to embrace others.