We had an opportunity to attend LA to TJ Mobile Conference organized by Colors of Green Committee and Latino Urban Forum. The conference was hosted in a very unique style. We took a train from Union Station in Downtown LA to Santa Fe Depot in San Diego. Along the way, train passed multiple spots that are either controversial and/or influential to LA region's economy and wellness including LA River, 710 Freeway and Irvine great Park Site. Each speaker spoke briefly about key topics such as air quality, health, housing, open space, transportation while train passed by the area relevant to those topics. Our organizer James Rojas put it in the perfect sentence. "Our slide show is the view from the train".
Listening to the speaker on the train
Few interesting points we learned from the conference.
- Low air quality of neighborhood around railroad is a serious issue. Many of the trains especially cargo trains are getting longer and longer (1.5-2 miles) and block multiple intersections causing vehicles to idle till train passes by exhausting fume that is not welcomed by the neighborhood. It's counterintuitive because we think taking public transportation (such as train) is a great alternative to cars but it could cause damage to the neighborhood if the effects and consequences are not taken into consideration.
- 38 million people are crossing borders to United States each year through Tijuana Port of Entry (slightly more than population in California). Many of them cross everyday as part of their commute. There are great efforts in making this international commute easier and safer by redesigning the site around the Port of Entry.
- There are many issues in Tijuana and other Mexican border cities importing waste from United States. Some of the used building materials become materials for construction in Tijuana while other materials are grinded and used as raw materials. Recycling materials are great if it's done right; however, without proper regulations in Mexico it is difficult to assume that these process are done in considered manner. Since air nor water care about "border line", all the toxic chemicals and hazardous materials could travel into US side and affect San Diego and LA region. Everything is connected.
More pictures here.
The border between Mexico and United States does not separate air, water and other natural resources we share.
One of the attendee said "This city (Tijuana) is always changing!" Street vendors (flexible components) play a huge role in painting colors to the street (fixed infrastructure).
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