The US-Mexico border fence is one of the largest single construction projects in the country. Already measuring 600 miles long at a cost of $2.4 billion, the fence is as symbolic as it is utilitarian. Ronald Rael of Rael San Fratello Architects has taken those cues with a prodigious series of sustainable boarder fence proposals that not only create renewable energy and jobs but create a thriving economy and environment. His proposals are viable solutions to the environmental and social restraints imposed by the wall that has required multiple environmental act waivers to be built. Click through to see some of the groundbreaking proposals that re-envision how to spend the projected 49 billion dollars needed to complete the project.
As the nation plows an average of $4 million dollars into each mile of fence, the only benefit is the slowed pace illegal crossings. Rael imagines a border blockade that enhances the communities by providing clean energy and water as well as communications and local trade.
His visualizes a large solar electric array along the border (parts of which are the sunniest portions of the US) to provide communities with clean reliable energy. Rael also included plans for integrated solar-thermal vacuum tubes that collect thermal heat in large underground tanks to be used by schools, commercial buildings and factories. The fence could also collect storm water to ease urban infrastructure costs and store and supply clean water.
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