AHO WORKS StudieS 2011-2012
Diploma Projects
Master of Architecture
UNzIPPING THE bORDER
MAgnuS DrogSetH
Advisor: edward robbins
Ceuta is a Spanish exclave in Morocco on the African side
of the Strait of Gibraltar. The exclave is a duty-free region
of Spain. Morocco does not recognise Ceuta as a Spanish
territory and the border is not a customs border for Morocco.
A highly secured fence is made to prevent unwanted immi-
grants from entering the EU through the exclave. The
fence, in an unintended way, is inconveniencing the local
community. The project aims to reduce these inconveniences.
Moroccan
porteadores
enter Ceuta, buy duty-free pro-
cessed goods such as food and electrical equipment and carry
them into Morocco where they are sold at a higher price. The
porteadores
then re-enter Ceuta to perform the transaction
once more and up to five times a day. In Ceuta, approximately
2000
porteadores
work within the border trade, moving 300
tons of goods across the border each day.
This project proposes to establish a Binational Trade Area
within the existing neutral zone between the two countries.
This can potentially reduce the number of checkpoint cross-
ings performed by
porteadores
from 30.000 to 4000 per day.
The design will contribute to reducing the harassment of
por-
teadores
and provide a safe and beautiful work environment
for those involved in the trade.
The existing no man’s land between the checkpoints is ex-
panded and the flow of people and goods is changed. People
enter and exit the area through controlled checkpoints, while
goods exit through the transaction terminals. Openings in the
border wall allow trade but prevent immigration.
