Carlos Olmedo

Terrorism's Role in Re-shaping Border Crossings: 11 September and the US Borders

This article assesses the effects of the heightened border security measures after 11 September 2001 (‘9/11’) on the primary ports of entry between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It asks: did the events of 9/11 change the region due to federal administrative response and was the socio-economic structure and high level of integration permanently disrupted? In the end, 9/11 impacts may be issues of relative impacts, the result of turbulence measurable at an economic level, but more profound on the social structure and exchanges that occur among residents of the region. The study provides an overview of crossings between the United States, Mexico and Canada, including detailed analysis on pedestrian, vehicle, vehicle passenger and cargo truck crossings to determine significant exchanges and movement as a result of the imposed terrorist watch strategy which was implemented at both US land borders.

Informality on the urban periphery: Housing conditions and self-help strategies in Texas informal subdivisions

Most scholarship on informal housing focuses on developing countries and little research investigates how low-income populations in the US participate in homeownership through self-built and self-provided housing. Meanwhile, informally developed areas are increasingly being uncovered in the US, especially in the urban periphery of growing metropolitan regions. This paper documents and analyses largely unknown housing conditions and needs for the growing number of people that live in such communities. Data for this paper were collected through a survey of 133 households in two unincorporated low-income, self-help settlements in Central Texas. In this survey we address (1) household composition, (2) specific housing conditions, and (3) reported structural and infrastructural problems. Through regression analyses we identify factors that mitigate or aggravate the severity of overall housing problems and identify the most significant concerns for residents. Our results offer future lines of action regarding property titles, financing and dwelling upgrading.

Business as Usual? Strategic Trade Flows since 9/11 between the United States and Mexico

There is a strong economic interaction between the United States and Mexico, far more than many people are aware of. Given its proximity and trade liberalization, Mexico is one of the main trading partners of the United States. For instance, approximately 90 percent of Mexico’s exports go to the United States and around 60 percent of its imports are from the United States.1 Trade between these countries has grown rapidly, especially since Mexico joined GATT in 1986, and particularly with the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. In fact, before NAFTA (1993), total trade through the U.S.-Mexico border accounted for approximately

Model subdivisions: The new face of developer lot sales for low-income colonia-type housing in Texas

67.8 billion. By 2007, more than

Away from cities, informal developments provide affordable housing for those on low incomes, but conditions are often poor

278.1 billion in merchandise trade crossed through the southern border region.