Project Summary

University of New Mexico Border Planning Studio

Community and Regional Planning Program

May 2007

Project Summary

As six students from the UNM Community and Regional Planning Program, under the guidance of Professor David Henkel, we spent three weeks investigating the economic realities of the Columbus, New Mexico / Palomas, Chihuahua border region. We spent the majority of our course time in the field working to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of both communities as well as the complexities of their interacting economies. We began to see this unique bi-national region as a place of cooperation and a ground for increased economic development. During the span of the course, we focused on developing an economic base profile, evaluating comparative advantages of the region, and identifying the goods, services, and sights of ecological, cultural, and historical interest.

To this end, we conducted interviews with local residents, business owners, educators, elected officials, and tourists, among others. Street-by-street, we canvassed both Columbus and Palomas. The information from the canvass was used to create a map. This map serves as a visual guide of the businesses and services offered in the bi-national region. In support of cross border collaboration, tourism, and economic growth, this map may also be useful as a focal point for manageable community projects. We hope both local residents and visitors to the area will find this tool useful.

As we completed our research, we presented our work in two community forums. The first was a facilitated strategizing session aimed at bringing together interested citizens of Palomas for a roundtable discussion on economic development. Additionally, we hosted an open house in the Columbus Community Center. The event was an opportunity to share photos of the community, the map, and an evaluation of community assets focused on existing and potential human, social, environmental, physical, and financial capital. Community members were invited to comment and provide feedback to the team.

This project was successful because of the forthcoming and generous participation of citizens on both sides of the border.

For more information on the project, please visit our BLOG at: www.columbuspalomas.blogspot.com

Or contact: David Henkel, Community and Regional Planning

(505) 277-1276

The University of New Mexico

School of Architecture and Planning

2414 Central Avenue, SE

Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

Student Participants: Micaela Cadena, Nubia Collaros, Victoria Hirschberg, David Kistin, Kileen Mitchell, Sarah Wentzel-Fisher, Prof. David Henkel