Contrary to many other Mexican cities, Tijuana is neither ancient nor colonial. I've heard many opinions of what people think in regards to the city's history. There are some who nostalgically remember the Casino Agua Caliente, Revolución Avenue, Bol Corona and the Caesar's Hotel and its famous salad. There are also others who think Tijuana simply doesn't have a "history" and shouldn't be worried about having one in the first place.
However, one thing is true: Tijuana has very little elements of historical character that will allow us to give some sort of a speech on where we're supposed to feel proud about living here. Surely, there are people who think we don't need history, given that we are a very modern and cosmopolitan city, and since we aren't colonial we shouldn't aspire to be.
All this I'm writing about is against the backdrop of Ministry of Communication and Transportation intent of demolishing the "Puerta Mexico", the almost 50 year-old pedestrian bridge vehicles pass under before entering the U.S. from Mexico. The official reason for the demolition is to remodel the area and speed up border crossing with more lanes.
We're challenged, again, with the decision of preserving or not a historic site. In the past, the demolition of the Toreo Tijuana and the old Police Station on 8th street (La Ocho) showed that the past isn't important for those in charge of the city.
Here is where society as usual wants to have its say, which unfortunately in this case comes late, given that there was no information or warning leading up to the sudden announcement. The 100 por Tijuana, A.C. organization is making an effort to organize the community and intervene against the site's demolition, this however won't be enough if the common citizen doesn't get involved.
At the same time, we hear over and over again, through authorities, social media and scholars that those who come to live to Tijuana don't have any roots. The question is: How can you ask them to value and appreciate a city that doesn't even have public or private motivations to actually identify with the city? In any case, those who run the city believe that culture and identity is reduced to visiting the Tijuana Cultural Center or strolling along a shopping mall.
Something that is true though, is that in the past few years there hasn't been any important or transcendent initiatives on behalf of the local authorities that bet on preserving historic heritage.
On the other side of the border:San Diego and it's historic center
Doing something about it isn't that complicated. You just hop on the Trolley and then walk to Old Town, where some of the very first constructions made in San Diego, California still remain.
Furthermore, they don't only remain in the traditional sense of "museum watch", but one can actually hang out, eat, or buy a souvenir, and the San Diego residents also have elements and be cognizant about how they can become better citizens. Here is an important key in order to understand why historic heritage should be preserved within our surroundings.
Also, San Diego residents have learned to combine the preservation of their historic memorabilia with entertainment, given that it isn't just Old Town, but the Gaslamp Quarter, smacked down in the heart of the city, has also done it, as well as some other San Diego neighborhoods.
Even Upas 1212 street, on the Northern part of the San Diego Zoo, has preserved a house where former Mexican President General Plutarco Elías Calles lived during his exile. Moreover, the property played a very important role as an international exhibit in Balboa Park in 1935.
Save Our Heritage Organization promotes in a very energetic manner the preservation of historic sites that contribute to common identity and the region's character. It's dedicated to rehabilitating historic spaces to transform them into museums.
The Border Crossing
Due to its heterogeneous origin, Tijuana is a cultural, social, economical and political lab. This condition makes it into a city that reinvents itself day by day. Here is where local authorities, alongside society, need to find the formula to mediate between the city we were in the past, to the city we want to be in the future.
If we really want talk about a city with economical progress, a city that is international, we just have to add that historic ingredient to the question: Who are the people of Tijuana?
Once more, Tijuana and its people are at the mercy of a administrative decision that will define the future of the city's historic and cultural heritage. But don't you worry, luckily, we are a cosmopolitan and international city, which in the long run will give us a globalized identity, way better than trying to preserve old buildings. All in all, for those who run this noble city, apparently Tijuana only accounts for Zona Río and its surroundings in Agua Caliente, La Cacho, Hipodromo,Revolución Avenue, the Food District and no more.
We are only interested in projecting a chic image, even if it's fake. The rest of the city is seen as a grand manufacturer that doesn't need history of any kind.
Consulted sources:
This was originally published by our friends at binomio (1+4).
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zyanya.figueroa@sandiegored.com
