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The most interesting thing about the border scenario in Ceuta, was the economic development that was occuring in Fnideq (Los Castillejos in Spanish). Polygonal Tarajal, which is located in Spain, directly adjacent to the border in the large shedded area, was something I could not have fathomed. Only open on Saturday and Sunday, this “Walmart of Spain” sold anything from oreos to full size matresses. The ability for Moroccans to access Ceuta for 24 hours makes Polygonal Tarajal an intense site of activity and interaction with European material goods. For Moroccans, the goods are cheap (50% Value added tax reduction) and European. For Ceutans, Los Castillejos is very accesible and has knock-off goods that are drastically cheaper than anywhere in the EU. This cross-border exchange promotes coexistence and informal transportation flows, as seen with the people walking above and on the highway.
The 1.5 km highway connecting Ceuta and Fnideq is an artery for flows of all sorts and all age types. For the tourist, the grand taxi hub which is the first thing one sees when entering Morocco, is a point of departure for larger cities or typical tourist destinations: Tetouan, Chefchaouen, and Fez. For Moroccans, the border crossing is simply another doorstep in their “extended” neighborhood.
Zooming out, the images below juxtapose the condition and undeniable emergent dynamic in Morocco: Morocco is growing, due to the proximity and material flows from the EU.
Expansion and transnational cooperation is inevitable, and the design must acknowledge this.
Investigating transnational situations 