I found an entry from another blog about “Valle Oriente” outside of Mexico City, Mexico.
And, it’s what I hope the future DOES NOT hold for Latin America or any other “thirld-world” city … Some kind of mega-suburb perched on the hillside overlooking the chaos of a real city. The tagline on the YouTube video says “una de las zonas con mejor desarrollo urbano de Mexico …” (one of the areas with the best urban planning in Mexico…)
I HOPE NOT.
It’s next to a CostCo and a Mercedes Benz dealership … Is this in southern California?!?! For the love of Dios! No way!
This is Mexico! 
It should look and feel and be like Mexico. Or at least be open about its wholesale adoption of the American urban form (and shopping options and architecture). Maybe it should be the “zona americana” the way American cities and other cities around the world have “ChinaTown.” At least then we would be REALLY clear about what’s going on here. Just because it’s American in style, and pricey DOES NOT mean it’s the best.
Anyone have an image for what the entrance to the “American Quarter” of a city would look like? What would it say? What would be the icon / logo? What would be the American equivalent of this:
2 responses so far ↓
.hj barraza // September 6, 2007 at 4:25 am
Maybe it should be the “zona americana” .
Indeed, but then a problem remains ALL of San Pedro Garza Garcia would be called American zone. Its filled with american lifestyle, clothing, music, cars, etc. etc. we will soon be the city that consumes more starbucks per capita (we allready have coca-cola, bmw’s and carlsjr).
Its seems that people here have allready lost the sense of identity and belonging, as if imitaing Texas was the hypest and best thing to do.
actually most of the economy and trends are dictated by texas cities.
theres a saying around here, it goes: “Monterrey is the ugliest city in Texas”.
Its about our culture, it seems we are trapped between a new kind of “conquistadores” aztecs, spanish, texans…
people here dont really know their roots, without roots there is no respect for our culture, and no wise society.
its ok to embrace new cultures, but never to deny nor loose your own.
ciudadanaglobal // September 10, 2007 at 1:41 am
GRACIAS! Lastima que no te puedo dar un premio por ser la primera persona que deja on comentario!
Truly, thank you for your thoughts … We are on the same wavelength about this stuff. I couldn’t agree more with your last statement about “it’s ok to embrace new cultures but never deny or lose your own.”
In Venezuela, I got to witness “coleo” which is their equivalent of rodeo. My husband’s friend is a “coleador.” It’’s NOT rodeo though. It’s very unique and different from rodeo. If I tried to explain it, you wouldn’t even believe me.
Anyways, the point of bringing this up is that the NEXT day on TV there was a rodeo happening in Venezuela. And my husband’s friend told me that rodeo was becoming much more commercially popular there than coleo.
Que lastima that venezolanos are denying (and losing?) their own culture in this aspect to something foreign.
Thank you for your comment.