Critical Awareness in the Era of Globalisation: Lessons for Landscape Architecture from an informal Community in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract

The profession of landscape architecture has undoubtedly benefited from global economic investment, which has spurred development projects involving landscape architects in developing countries around catalysts such as industrial growth and tourism. However, these globalisation trends have also been blamed for various environmental and social ills, and pose substantial risk and uncertainty for the profession. This paper examines the consequences of globalisation, including the impact on informal communities that may not directly benefit from such activities. These consequences are illustrated through literature review as well as description of a community we have been engaged with in Tijuana, Mexico; a case that is typical of many global trends. We also examine the role of landscape architecture practice and education in this globalisation process, arguing that greater consideration is warranted of the professional's role in maintaining or transforming existing social structures that are conducive to inequities and injustices. We argue that critical awareness of a given situation is essential for landscape architects to facilitate social transformation, and we outline a strategy used in Tijuana to gain critical awareness and to effectively dialogue with informal communities.