Learning from Colonias in Texas:
Analysis of self-organizing structure and urban manifestation in
unincorporated settlements
Introduction:
Colonias are unincorporated
settlements along the U.S. -
Mexico border. They lack physical
infrastructure and civic facilities.
Upgrading colonias requires selforganization
and collective effort in
fi nding, obtaining and implementing
funding programs. Could the effort
benefi t from an alternative urban
form and infrastructure?
Abstract:
The research sets to analyze existing
colonias and propose alternative
infrastructure and urban form in
response to available fi nancial and
organizational capacity.
Hypotheses:
Self-organizing capacity of colonias’
residents is an asset that can be
employed in building settlements.
Alternative infrastructure (water/
sewage) can be cheaper to install,
run, and generates income.
Objective:
Finding a point at which the lack of
access to credit, unemployment,
availability of land, natural resources
and human capital can converge into
a viable unincorporated settlement.
Approach:
→ Case studies of infrastructure
installation in existing colonias in
Texas.
→ Case studies of self-organization
leading to obtaining funds for the
upgrade of physical infrastructure
in colonias in Texas.
→ Case studies of social-enterprise
cities
→ Action research in pilot colonia
in Texas
→ Interviews in colonias
→ Architectural/ urban/ business
proposal
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