morphogenetic boundary

MORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC 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BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARYMORPHOGENETIC BOUNDARY

Overlapping of frames reveals the locations of highest density

Location of high density will be used to redefine cellular system boundary

INTRODUCTION



Morphogentic Boundary is a project that looks into contemporary theories of self-organizing systems, considering the relationship to architecture and urban planning. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the existing body of research through multiple explorative inquiries and investigations. While the project is currently a work in progress, this particular segment of the work is intended to explore introductory ideas and the applicability of these ideas to the develpment of uncharted design methodologies.

The project is sequenced herein as multiple studies, which are conducted through a non-linear process of devel-opment. Each exploration is done by the use of various algorithmic modeling techniques, yielding emergent phe-nomena at varying levels of applicabil-ity. Conclusions are drawn through the analysis of these emergent characteris-tics.



The application of morphogenetic studies to urbanism suggests that the urban condition might be understood as embodying similar emergent qualities that are evident in natural self organizing systems. The emergent phenomena of morphogenesis is the process that controls the organized spatial distribution of cells during the embryonic development of an organism. The work presented here explores the capacity of computationally generated emergent phenomena as a decision making tool at the urban scale.

In terms of understanding the limitations of this design methodology, Neil Leach writes, "the complexity of material computation within the city far exceeds anything that we might be able to model as yet through digital computa-tion. Nonetheless, it would seem important to address this question, and explore the poten-tial of computational methodology for model-ing urban form."



03

This research is a test of the aforementioned design methodology. An extreme urban condition (a US/Mexican border crossing city) is analyzed and re-evaluated through the application of and coupling of two algo-rithmic modeling techniques, both of which exhibit self organizing emergent characteris-tics.

[1] The first technique uses input data from the site in order to generate a swarming particle system.

[2] The second is a parametric system that relies on the particle system's natural patterns of aggregation and, through a system that resembles the negotiation of cellular boundar-ies, governs the redistribution of density and infrastructure on the site while shaping archi-tectural and urban space.

In this location where natural growth patterns have been halted by political division, might a self organizing system validate the shaping of a new city that facilitates a unified growth?

Tecate

Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana

Mexico



05



06

I chose this atypical urban condition, as it exhibits unusual growth patterns. The hope is that it might reveal the strengths of the employed design methodologies.

The intention is to explore the nature of design decisions that might be made through the consideration of algorith-mic modeling techniques.

TECATE, USA / MEXICO



Site ConditionSite Location

Tecate, Baja California, MexicoSouth of California, USEast of Tiajuana

2005 Census Population: 91,034

Potentials in BoundaryArchitecture"Borders ... constitute the very sites for both contest and emergent unity (s) over time. In other words, rather than separating boundar-ies, borders are dynamic membranes through which interactions and diverse transforma-tions occur. In ecological terms, the edge is always the most lively and rich place because it is the occupants and forces of one system meet and interact with those from another. Here, there is contest and competition to be sure, but also hybridity, multiplicity, and productive exchange."

James Corner - Field Operations

The chosen site presents an obvious case where architecture might be introduced as a tool that responds to the aggregate patterns that emerge when two distinctly different simulation models exist within a single space. It is our goal here to explore and exploit the hidden potentials of the border condition.Tecate

Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana



09







Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana



12

3

BOAR

DER

CROS

SING

Conceptual Framework for a New City

[1] exhibits a retreat of population from the border, leaving a virtual wasteland of mounta-nous desert littered with boarder patrol activ-ity, illegal trafficking, and hostile relations. The aura is that of panopticism, as towers rise in the space, purposefully exhibiting a whatchful eye.

[2] A border crossing city, and once a small quiet town, Tecates population has grown as a result of industrial activity and the export of goods. The city is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains which restrain the lateral spread of population. Also, the restraint of the political border abruptly ceases the natural growth that the city might otherwise display.

[3] The border crossing is the only syner-getic space that allows legal, non-hostile interaction of the two countries. Terry Cruz describes the space between the actual US border and the check point as a "transitional buffer zone...an ambivalent fragment of space which seems to belong neither to the US nor Mexico...This imagined place is constructed of connections, not separations; of readings, not categorizations...a formal space which cares little about formal classifications, but much more about validity and connection, for culture itself perishes in purity and isolation."



11

12

3

BOAR

DER

CROS

SING







12

12

333



13

12

3



14

The Border RedefinedThe new city will be defined and formed by [3] urban zones, reflecting the existing urban condition. Two very disparate, very different cities straddle a stark political division. The idea is to create a permeable urban surface that allows for selective passage, integration, and exchage.

[1] becomes the element of the new city that is representative of the northern (U.S.) side of the border. It may adopt many of the attributes that characterize the existing space.

[2] becomes the element that is representa-tive of the southern (Mexico) side of the border. Again, attributes that define the southern space may characterize the element.

[3] beomes the resultant of the two elements when they are overlapped, and are intention-ally designed to exist as a single space.

33



15

1233333

3



11

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3

[United States] An analysis of the topogra-phy and its relationship to infrastructural growth/limitation is used to develop an algorithm that yeilds the logical bounds of a New City.

[Mexico] An analysis of the topography and its relationship to infrastructural growth/limitation is used to develop an algorithm that yeilds the logical bounds of a New City.

[Mexico] From the site analysis, outstanding conditions of the site will be applied to autonomous particles, creating a swarm-like system. This is coupled with a conceptual reconfiguration of the city's infrastructure.

[United States] A parametric system is governed by the spatial data created by the particle system simulation. The new city extends vertically and horizontally within the space determined by the site analysis

Topographical Analysis

Topographical AnalysisHybrid Algorithmic System

Cellular System Particle System

Vertical Extension of Site Morphogenetic Boundary

Sequence of Experimentation



11

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3











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3 3

1

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2

3

2

3









1

3

2


Hybrid Algorithmic System


1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3











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1

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2

3

2

3









3

1

2

2

3





TOPOGRAPHICAL ANALYSISTOPOGRAPHICAL ANALYSISThe topographical analysis is a study of the urban forming capacity of boundaries. The political separation has a direct effect on how an urban space may take shape over time. In this study, the effect of the political separa-tion at the US/Mexican border is compared to the effect of the topographical boundaries that limit infrastructural growth.

The site topography is studied in order to find the relationship of grade changes to urban infrastructure. The study reveals a direct connnection. As shown in this section, a specific range of natural ground slope pecent-age governs the shape of infrastructural patterns, as well as limits infrastructural growth.

The discovery of this range of slope percent-age is used in a simple algorithmic model, revealing a clear zone of potential urban growth. This zone is later used as the site for the new city.

TTooToT pp ooggraapphhiccaall BBoouunnddaaryyryr



21

PPoolliiticcaallSSeeppaaraatiioo

nn





23



24

Political Divider

POLITICAL DIVIDER

The political divider was established during the US/Mexican War (as will be discussed in greater detail in a later section). Prior to this artificial division, the two nations used the natural topography and waterways to define the division. The line that currently exists was implemented before much of the growth in population, which has led to this irregular flat edge that defines this urban space.



25

Political Divider

POLITICAL DIVIDER




Topographical Boundaries

TOPOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARY

Closer examination of the site reveals that the grid-like infrastructural pattern that defines much of the uban space is broken and realigned when it encounters certain changes in topography. In these locations, the infra-structural system takes on a more random shape as it negotiates the irregularities of the natural landscape.



27

This study is intended to reveal the specifics of how the topography effects the infrastruc-ture. This is done through the development of an algorithmic model that checks the separa-tion distance of lines of topography. The maximum and minimum separation distances are noted at locations where infrastructure has been limited.

From this study, a final algorithm is developed that calculates a range of separation distances in topo lines. On the following page this is used to determine how the city might have grown, given only the limitation of the topography.

Topographical analysis is applied to an algorithmic model

6% slope

18.5

75

18.5

284

24% slope

2000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963



29




6% slope

18.5

75

18.5

284

24% slope

2000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963



30

Topography Algorithm

The algorithm that is developed from the topo-graphical and infrastructural analysis is applied to the entire site in order to reveal macroscpic emergent patterns.

500 1000 2000 4000N



31



500 1000 2000 4000N



32

Topographical boundaries that logically shape the sourhtern side of the boarder are also applicable to the northern side.

Proof of the validity of the algorithmic system is evidenced by the fact that the existing infrstructure seems to follow the emergent pattern created.

500 1000 2000 4000N



33



500 1000 2000 4000N



34

500 1000 2000 4000N



35

500 1000 2000 4000N



36

12

3

500 1000 2000 4000N



37

12

3

500 1000 2000 4000N



38


Topographical boundaries justify limitations for new city.

Conceptual Framework


1

2

3 1

23

1

23

22000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963



39





1

2

3 1

23

1

23

2000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963



Site for New City




41

Site for New City




42

500 1000 2000 4000N





47



48

11

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









1

2

3




Topographical Analysis3



11

3 3

1

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2

3

2

3









1

1

3 3

1

22

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3

2

3









3

1

2

2

3





HYBRID SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT



51

HYBRID SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT The hybrid system is comprised of the two algorithmic modeling techniques, as mentioned in the introduction. This documentation is broken into two sections:

[1] The Particle System exhibits the applicability of the spatial data that might be yeilded through a simulation of particle motion. The algorithm is developed through an indepth historical analysis of the site. Population growth patterns are the major influence of the system, as particles are meant to digrammatically represent the attrac-tion of population to economic stimu-lants within the city.

[2] The Cellular System is a paramet-ric system, which which reassesses the existing infrastructure and conceptually outputs its cellular equivalent. This is done in order to study the possible reconfigurations of the infrastructure based on patterns of density. In a later section, this system extends into the new city.



Attraction Pointlocation.add(velcocity)velocity.add(acceleration)acceleration * (.001)



How does a city take on a particular geographical social form?

It has been proven that cities grow and develp through a similar logic to that of self-organizing swarming systems.

Is there data that might be extracted from the city that might be applied to computationally generated emergent systems?

In the case of Tecate, the city has taken its current form due to rapid population increases that occured 150 years after the border was established. The population increases occur in response to multiple economic factors, attracting families to border cities.

In this section we will explore those economic factors in order to extract data that might be used to quantify the particle system algorithm.

Particle System Data



53















54

Shown here, 10,000 particles follow a simple rule set. Three external attraction forces pull the particles along unitized vectors at varying accelerations.

Partilces leave behind trails to allow for map-ping of paths and locations.

Macroscopic spatial patterns become evident over the course of time. While each particle follows a simple path, the ccollective group forms complex patterns that might be perceived as spatial data.

The idea is to study the behavior of such systems, based on input data. In this case, inputs include starting locations of particles, locations of attraction points, initial velocities, and acceleration values. The researcher is able to alter the numerical values of input variables in order to create various spatial patterns. Doing so offers an understanding of the behavior of the system.



55

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

TECATE

The History of US/Mexican International Relations in Ref-erence to Popuoaiton Growth at Border CitiesAn historical catalogue of the US/Mexico international relationship reveals many events that have contributed to populaiton growth. Ultimately, the purpose of the study is to find how historical events have contributed to the present result. Findings reveal that industus-trial growth and international trade are major factors in populaiton increases in the 20th century, with the most rapid increases occur-ing post 1950. Note that the municipality of Tecate follows a growth trend which parrallels the growth of northern Baja California.



57

The History of US/Mexican International Relations in Ref-erence to Popuoaiton Growth at Border CitiesAn historical catalogue of the US/Mexico international relationship reveals many events that have contributed to populaiton growth. Ultimately, the purpose of the study is to find how historical events have contributed to the present result. Findings reveal that industus-trial growth and international trade are major factors in populaiton increases in the 20th century, with the most rapid increases occur-ing post 1950. Note that the municipality of Tecate follows a growth trend which parrallels the growth of northern Baja California.



BAJA CALIFORNIA

BAJA CALIFORNIA SOUTH

1819

1821

1831

-33

1846

1848

1851

1861 18

83-9

0

1890

1900

US Mexico Border established by US and Spain (Adam-Onis Treaty)

Mexico independent from Spain

The city of Tecate is established

US Mexican War (The US overtakes California and establishes the current section of the border that defines the edge of the municipality of Tecate.

78,907

520,165

1,177,886

2,112,140

1848 Gold is found in Mexican held Sacramento California

California Land claims act. Mexicans forced out of state through violence and other means

Mexican freedom fighters fight for their land in California

Railroad construction Mexican cheap labor replace Chinese as a result of the Chinese exclusion act. Mexican railroad workers increase.

Copper Mining lures Americans in Arizona. Mexicans are pushed from their land

Copper, silver, zinc are found in Arizona and New Mexico. Texas mines salt. Mexicans are continuously pushed from their land

1895

*190

0

1910

**19

21

**19

30

**19

40

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

TECATE

Baja

Califo

rnia

Popu

lation

in M

illion

s



59

1910

-15

1924

1942

-43

1953

1964

1965

1982

1994

1996

127 3,0878,208

30,540

62,629

101,079


Mexican Revolution begins. Thousands flee across border for safety/1915 Railway between Tiajuana and Tecate opened

89,000 Mexican immigrants enter US/immigration act of 1924. Border stations established to admit Mexican workers

Bracero program allows Mexicans to work in the US - mostly agricultural/1943 Tecate Brewery opened

Operation Wetback: 3.8 million people of Mexican heritage are deported from the us

Maquiladoras are established under Border industrializa-tion program. "Mass employment of cheap labor at the Mexican border by US companies begins"

Immigration act of 1965 limits immigrants to US

Largest increase of maquiladoras after the devaluation of Mexican currency

NAFTA stimulates trade between US and Mexico. Massive increase in border populations

40 miles of 14 foot fence is built under Clinton to deter illegal immigration. Drugs and crime are more prevalent at the border.

1895

*190

0

1910

**19

21

**19

30

**19

4019

50

1960

1970

1980

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

***2

015

***2

020

***2

025

***2

030

300

250

200

150

100

50*Calculated at .0800 growth**Calculated at .0705 growth***Projected

The History of the BorderTe

cate

Popu

lation

in T

hous

ands

60

1819

1821

1848

1851

1861 18

83-9

0

1890

1900









1846


1831

-33


The History of the Border in Relationship to Tecate



61

1910

-15

1924

1942

-43

1953

1964

1965

1982

1994

1996













62

+127

+127

+5121+22,332

1819

1821

1848

1851

1861 18

83-9

0

1890

1900









1846


1831

-33


Numerical values show the increase in population associated with the urban elements. The population increases and historical data validate the classifacation of these elements as population attractors.

These locations will be used in the particle system as attraction points.



63

+2690

+5121+22,332

+32,089

1910

-15

1924

1942

-43

1953

1964

1965

1982

1994

1996













64

9 1 2 3 4 7 8 10 5 6

Population Attractors

[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 1

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2

Population Repeller[6] Rapid Grade Change

Bounding/Shaping Elements

[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border



65

9 1 2 3 4 7 8 10 5 6


[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 1

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2



[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border9 1 2 3 4 7 8 10 5 6


[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 1

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2



[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border

500 1000 2000 4000N



66


[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 2

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2



[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border



67


[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 2

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2



[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border


[1] Train Station

[2] Maquilladora 2

[3] Tecate Brewery

[4] Border Crossing

[5] Maquilladora 2



[7] Tecate River

[8] Railroad

[9] Highway

[10] Border

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68

A brief look at an example of a particle system for a city is shown. A simple algorithm reveals the reconfiguration of a grid of points (each point representing a cluster of population).

The grid is reconfigured based on forces of attraction and repelling.

Particle System Concept



69

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70

(-) Repel

Initial Location Location

Repel

Attraction

Attraction

Attraction

(+) Attraction

Boundary

(-) Repel

(+) Attraction Loop

Boundary

New LocationExtracting specific elements that might describe collective, or swarming, behaviour we are able to re-exhibit the current state of existence through simulation modelling.

Upon extraction and assignment of rule based behaviour to particles within the spaces, we have access to a visual dialectic representa-tion of the city as emergent patterns become evident.

The particle acts as an abstract element that is used to represent behaviour in a visual diagrammatic display.

Particle System Development



71

(-) Repel


Repel

Attraction

Attraction

Attraction

(+) Attraction

Boundary

(-) Repel

(+) Attraction Loop

Boundary







72

Input

InitialLocation

NewLocation

Action

Attraction 0/10

0/10

velocity*-1

.05

.05

.03

.05

.02

-.01

-.005Repulsion

Limit

Velocity (min/max) Acceleration Output

Attraction

Repulsion

Limit

Tecate Brewery

Train Station

Maquilladora 1

Maquilladora 2

Boarder Crossing

Steep Hillside1

Steep Hillside 2

Boarder

Eastern Site Booundary

Western Site Booundary

Southern Site Booundary

Source

Tecate Brewery

Train Station

Maquilladora 1

Maquilladora 2

Boarder Crossing

Steep Hillside1

Steep Hillside 2




Boarder

Loop (output=new input)

Particle movement is govrned by forces acting in attraction, repulsion, and limitation. Each action outputs a specific velocity while mainataining a constant acceleration. Particle acceleration values can correspond directly to the acceleration of populaiton growth. The sources are locations on the site that particles accelerate toward, representing the attraction of population to an economic hub.



73

Input

InitialLocation

NewLocation

Action

Attraction 0/10

0/10

velocity*-1

.05

.05

.03

.05

.02

-.01

-.005Repulsion

Limit

Velocity (min/max) Acceleration Output

0/10

.05

.02

.05

.05

.03

-.01

-.0050/10

velocity*-1

Tecate Brewery

Train Station

Maquilladora 1

Maquilladora 2

Boarder Crossing

Steep Hillside1

Steep Hillside 2

Boarder




Source

Loop (output=new input)

Particle movement is govrned by forces acting in attraction, repulsion, and limitation. Each action outputs a specific velocity while mainataining a constant acceleration. Particle acceleration values can correspond directly to the acceleration of populaiton growth. The sources are locations on the site that particles accelerate toward, representing the attraction of population to an economic hub.



74

Tecate BreweryAttractorAcc = .05

Train StationAttractorAcc = .02

Maquilladora 1AttractorAcc = .05

BorderLimitvelocity = velocity*(-1)



75

Tecate BreweryAttractorAcc = .05

Maquilladora 2AttractorAcc = .05

Particle

Border CrossingAttractorAcc = .02

Hillside 1RepellerAcc = -.01

Hillside 2RepellerAcc = -.005

500 1000 2000 4000N



76

Observation

85

Observation

86







Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana







Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana

1

2

3

BOAR

DER

CROS

SING





1

2

3

BOAR

DER

CROS

SING





The application of morphogenetic studies to urbanism suggests that the urban condition might be understood as embodying similar emergent qualities that are evident in natural self organizing systems. The emergent phenomena of morphogenesis is the process that controls the organized spatial distribution of cells during the embryonic development of an organism. The work presented here explores the capacity of computationally generated emergent phenomena as a decision making tool at the urban scale.

In terms of understanding the limitations of this design methodology, Neil Leach writes, "the complexity of material computation within the city far exceeds anything that we might be able to model as yet through digital computa-tion. Nonetheless, it would seem important to address this question, and explore the poten-tial of computational methodology for model-ing urban form."

This research is a test of the aforementioned design methodology. An extreme urban condition (a US/Mexican border crossing city) is analyzed and re-evaluated through the application of and coupling of two algo-rithmic modeling techniques, both of which exhibit self organizing emergent characteris-tics.

[1] The first technique uses input data from the site in order to generate a swarming particle system.

[2] The second is a parametric system that relies on the particle system's natural patterns of aggregation and, through a system that resembles the negotiation of cellular boundar-ies, governs the redistribution of density and infrastructure on the site while shaping archi-tectural and urban space.

In this location where natural growth patterns have been halted by political division, might a self organizing system validate the shaping of a new city that facilitates a unified growth?

Tecate

Mexico

US

San Diego

Tiajuana

The Border RedefinedThe new city will be defined and formed by [3] urban zones, reflecting the existing urban condition. Two very disparate, very different cities straddle a stark political division. The idea is to create a permeable urban surface that allows for selective passage, integration, and exchage.

[1] becomes the element of the new city that is representative of the northern (U.S.) side of the border. It may adopt many of the attributes that characterize the existing space.

[2] becomes the element that is representa-tive of the southern (Mexico) side of the border. Again, attributes that define the southern space may characterize the element.

[3] beomes the resultant of the two elements when they are overlapped, and are intention-ally designed to exist as a single space.

33

3
















1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









Sequence of Experimentation

1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









1

1

3 3

1

22

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Morphogentic Boundary is a project that looks into contemporary theories of self-organizing systems, considering the relationship to architecture and urban planning. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the existing body of research through multiple explorative inquiries and investigations. While the project is currently a work in progress, this particular segment of the work is intended to explore introductory ideas and the applicability of these ideas to the develpment of uncharted design methodologies.

The project is sequenced herein as multiple studies, which are conducted through a non-linear process of devel-opment. Each exploration is done by the use of various algorithmic modeling techniques, yielding emergent phe-nomena at varying levels of applicabil-ity. Conclusions are drawn through the analysis of these emergent characteris-tics.



1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









1

1

3 3

1

22

2

3

2

3









The hybrid system is comprised of the two algorithmic modeling techniques, as mentioned in the introduction. This documentation is broken into two sections:

[1] The Particle System exhibits the applicability of the spatial data that might be yeilded through a simulation of particle motion. The algorithm is developed through an indepth historical analysis of the site. Population growth patterns are the major influence of the system, as particles are meant to digrammatically represent the attrac-tion of population to economic stimu-lants within the city.

[2] The Cellular System is a paramet-ric system, which which reassesses the existing infrastructure and conceptually outputs its cellular equivalent. This is done in order to study the possible reconfigurations of the infrastructure based on patterns of density. In a later section, this system extends into the new city.

The topographical analysis is a study of the urban forming capacity of boundaries. The political separation has a direct effect on how an urban space may take shape over time. In this study, the effect of the political separa-tion at the US/Mexican border is compared to the effect of the topographical boundaries that limit infrastructural growth.

The site topography is studied in order to find the relationship of grade changes to urban infrastructure. The study reveals a direct connnection. As shown in this section, a specific range of natural ground slope pecent-age governs the shape of infrastructural patterns, as well as limits infrastructural growth.

The discovery of this range of slope percent-age is used in a simple algorithmic model, revealing a clear zone of potential urban growth. This zone is later used as the site for the new city.

Political Divider

POLITICAL DIVIDER








6% slope

18.5

75

18.5

284

24% slope

2000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963



500 1000 2000 4000N



500 1000 2000 4000N

500 1000 2000 4000N

1

2

3

500 1000 2000 4000N





1

2

3 1

23

1

23

2000 1981.5

1963

1944.5

1944.5

1926

1963

Site for New City


(-) Repel


Repel

Attraction

Attraction

Attraction

(+) Attraction

Boundary

(-) Repel

(+) Attraction Loop

Boundary





(-) Repel


Repel

Attraction

Attraction

Attraction

(+) Attraction

Boundary

(-) Repel

(+) Attraction Loop

Boundary





A brief look at an example of a particle system for a city is shown. A simple algorithm reveals the reconfiguration of a grid of points (each point representing a cluster of population).

The grid is reconfigured based on forces of attraction and repelling.

Particle System Concept

1819

1821

1848

1851

1861 18

83-9

0

1890

1900









1846


1831

-33


The History of the Border in Relationship to Tecate

1910

-15

1924

1942

-43

1953

1964

1965

1982

1994

1996




Bracero program allows Mexicans to work in the US - mostly agricultural/1943 Teca

morphogenetic boundary

Documents