| Introduction | |
| The Region of La Paz | |
| The Study Area | |
| Historic Roots of the City | |
The city of La Paz is rapidly approaching an important crossroads. Can La Paz maintain its character, sustain the quality of life for its inhabitants and continue to prosper as the region grows? Or will the forces of growth overwhelm the capacity of the region to manage itself, leading to an erosion of its economic, social and environmental foundations? These questions are at the heart of a study carried out by a bi-national team and presented here.
This joint study by faculty and researchers from Harvard University, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, University of Arizona, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas seeks to assist regional leaders in assessing alternative futures for the development and conservation of the La Paz region. The study looks at a range of scenarios to investigate how economic performance, demographic changes, private and public investments, and public policy choices could influence urban growth and land use change over the next 20 years. The study also assesses how these changes will impact the area’s hydrology and ecology, as well as its visual and economic landscape.
The future for La Paz will be influenced by the decisions taken, or not taken, by regional leaders in the immediate future. The aim of this study is to provide information for better decision making to shape a future that reflects the values and priorities of the people of La Paz.
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| The islands and protected areas of the Gulf of California were designated a World Heritage Site in 2005. | The Gulf of California is reknowned for the great diversity of marine mammals found there. | The modern city of La Paz maintains its traditional orientation to the water. |
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| The historic core of La Paz is still the economic center of the city. | The Balandra area as seen from the air, one of the most photographs areas in Baja California. | La Paz has retained much of its traditional charm despite population growth and the influence of outside visitors. |
The population of La Paz is approaching 200,000 people.
Figure 1. The La Paz region in Mexico
La Paz is located near the
southern tip of Baja California on the Sea of Cortez. With a population
approaching 200,000, it is the second largest city on the peninsula after
Tijuana. La Paz is also the capital of the southern state of Baja, Baja
California Sur.
The city of La Paz developed along the water’s edge, looking northwest into the
Bay of La Paz. An unmistakable and prominent feature in the city’s landscape is
the Mogote, a barrier beach formed approximately five thousand years ago that
lies adjacent to the city. The Mogote forms a protected body of water with a
narrow inlet connected to the Bay of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez.
Three nearby islands in the Sea of Cortez provide additional shelter for La Paz.
These islands – Isla Espiritu Santo, Isla San Jose and Isla Cerralvo – are
recognized as among the most beautiful in the Sea of Cortez and serve as a draw
for tourists. The islands and natural reserves of the Gulf of California were
designated as a World Heritage Site on July 14, 2005.
The La Paz region is dominated by desert and arid ecosystems. It seldom rains in
La Paz. There is an average of only 7 inches of rainfall each year with much of
the region’s water coming in the form of hurricanes, which have historically hit
the region once every two years.
To the southeast of the city are the mountains of the Sierra La Laguna that rise
as high as 2,000 meters and define an important facet of the physical and
cultural landscape. An area covering 11,600 hectares of the Sierra La Laguna
forms a biosphere reserve designed to protect the mix of evergreen and oak
forests, matorrales and arid ecozones rich in biodiversity and endemic species.
Agriculture occupies the relatively flat land to the south of the city. Today
much of this agricultural land is devoted to products such as tomatoes destined
for North American markets.
La Paz is situated in the only area of Baja unimpeded by the spine of mountains
that run the length of the peninsula. This particular geography brings about the
Coromuel winds each afternoon winds, offering relief to the desert heat that
characterizes the Baja peninsula during the hot summer months.
Figure 2. The area of Baja California Sur that includes La Paz and the three islands that are recognized internationally as part of a World Heritage Site.
Figure 3. Land Cover.
The area considered in this study encompasses the
existing urban area of La Paz that emanates from the historical core of the city
and the malecón, the seaside promenade. The boundary of the study area includes
the peninsula north of the city and extents southward to include most of the
watershed, and the aquifer recharge areas that supply the city’s fresh water.
The northern peninsula includes the deep-water port at Pichilingue and the
coastal areas and beaches that serve as recreational areas for the residents and
visitors to La Paz.
Balandra is perhaps the most important of these natural areas. The
terrestrial-marine zone there forms an exceptionally beautiful landscape and
includes ecologically important mangroves and marine ecosystems. Balandra is one
of the most frequently photographed natural formations in all of Baja for the
purposes of tourist promotion and as such has become a central figure in the
identity of Baja. Balandra was declared La Paz’ first municipal protected area
in 2004, but lost protected area status in 2005 as the result of an injunction
issued by the Supreme Court of Justice. Tecolote is another notable recreational
and scenic beach area on the northern edge of the peninsula with views towards
Isla Espíritu Santo.
Figure 4. The study area.
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| Figure 5. An aerial view of the study area. | Figure 6. The northern peninsula. | Figure 7. The urban area of La Paz. |
The
road to Punta Prieta
In 1535, Hernan Cortez visited La
Paz as a part of his historic journeys. There he encountered the indigenous
inhabitants of Baja California that had occupied the area for thousands of
years. La Paz, however, has only been continuously settled since 1811. Prior
attempts at permanent settlements failed from the lack of water and infertile
soils. As we will describe later, the key issues of water and land use will
continue to define the economic and social possibilities for La Paz well into
the future.
The city of La Paz sprang up where it is because of the well-protected natural
harbor formed by the Mogote. Just as the original inhabitants lived off the sea,
the economy of the city in the 19th century was based on pearl diving and
fisheries. Trade via the water has also historically played an important role in
the economic life of La Paz. In the latter half of the 20th century, it was the
creation of a free trade area in the port of La Paz that spurred further growth
and the development of the city as a regional commercial center.
Despite its direct access to the sea, growth in the southern peninsula has been
slowed by its relatively remote location. The completion of the trans-peninsular
highway in 1973 created a road link between southern Baja and points north,
providing better access to the southern peninsula. Expansion of the airport and
improvements in air service reduced the effective distance from major urban
centers and markets, spurring further growth. The growth of the government and
the academic sector in La Paz has contributed as well to the expansion of the
area’s economy and population. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, La Paz
experienced rapid growth with the population almost doubling each decade.
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| The plaza and church in La Paz | Fiscal pier | Juárez theatre |
Recurring Cycles of Over-Exploitation
The economic history of La Paz is
a story based almost entirely on the extraction of natural resources, including
pearls, fisheries, conch, timber, cattle-ranching, minerals and tanneries. This
history has been marked by the common sequence of exploitation,
over-exploitation and depletion, often bringing an abrupt end to the economic
viability of each of these commodities in turn. The over-exploitation of the
pearl oysters was noted as early as 1686. After recovering somewhat, the pearl
oysters were declared on the verge of extinction in 1939 and again in 1994. A
tannery established in 1903 utilized the bark of the cascalote tree for curing
the leather. Efforts in the 1920s and 1930s to regulate the utilization of these
sources of natural tannins led to the eventual shut down of the tannery in 1940.
The harvesting of timber at the turn of the century rapidly put an end to the
commercially viable stocks of timber. More recent examples include the rise and
subsequent fall in catch of sharks and clams.
Underlying the beautiful landscapes of the La Paz region that we see today are
ecosystems fundamentally and irreversibly altered by the history of human
settlement and economic activity. Nevertheless, the economy of La Paz still
depends on the health of natural ecosystems and landscapes, and the availability
of natural resources. As La Paz moves into the future, it is important to
understand that the consequences of these changes are much more than a question
of aesthetics – these resources are critical for the economic livelihood of the
region.
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| The tanneries in La Paz depended on the bark of a Cascolote tree for their operation. | Over-fishing is a problem across the region that is yet to be adequately addressed. | |
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| Over-exploitation of sharks has decimated population levels. | Harvesting marine products such as clams and octopus has been an important source of income and food in La Paz. | Hunting turtles for meat and collecting their eggs has contributed to a marked decline in their numbers. |
La Paz and its surrounding areas
are blessed with great natural beauty: mountains, forests of cactus, beaches,
and islands. The limited extent of development has left the La Paz region with
much open space, offering a wide range of recreational opportunities for
residents and visitors. A strong connection with the water remains a vital
aspect of life in La Paz today, attracting tourists, second-home owners and
Mexican professionals in search of an alternative to the faster-paced and more
congested cities of the mainland. Tourism in the La Paz area is principally
focused on water-related activities, including sportfishing, water sports and
excursions to nearby islands.
Despite its growing size, the incidence of modern urban problems such as crime,
drugs, congestion, and pollution is still quite low. The level of social
cohesion for a city of this size is remarkable and a source of pride for Paceños
(the residents of La Paz). On most accounts, the quality of life in La Paz is
very high.
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| Relaxation and exercise on the Malecon is an important part of public life in La Paz. | The water, desert, and beaches close to La Paz are used by both residents and visitors for recreation. |
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| The pace of life in La Paz is often remininscent of a small town. | La Paz has the commerce, education and public services of a medium-size city, yet relatively minor social problems. |