Enhancing Eagle Pass–Piedras Negras International Bridge Design to Function as a Temporary Accommodation Facility for Asylum Seekers

Abstract

In May of 2019, a humanitarian crisis is intensifying along the borders of US-Mexico, almost 20000 people are waiting on Mexican borders to seek asylum in the United States, Mexico whish once a country of transit is now buckling under the demands of its new reality. US administration fails to absorb asylum seekers, organizations in Mexico have struggled to keep up with the influx of mi-grants. Along with that, the inhumane living conditions in migrant camps, systematic discrimination, and increased crime rate have made people restless for a response from the Centre of Border and Protection (CBP). This has led them to occupy streets, spaces near border walkways and bridges. Due to an increased number and drastic change of the social fabric, immigrants are a burden on city tourism and the city’s safety. They are intruders and they are constantly facing racism, xenophobia and discrimination. Asylum seekers are slowly being rejected by both countries; between climate change and the chaos of global politics, the humanitarian crisis over the next decades will remain paramount, thoughtful design cannot prevent that inevitability, but it can alleviate some of the suf-ferings that asylum seekers will endure. Negras International Bridge; which are essentially shared spaces, belonging either country. While migrant facilities limiting total intake, asylum seekers refuse to leave bridges, the essential design idea is to expand border bridges to become a temporary habitat for asylum seekers. This paper illustrates the design process of an immigrant respite centre, which functions as a temporary accommodation facility for 1500 asylum seekers designed on Eagle Pass– Piedras Negras International Bridge.