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<br />u02Q81 <br /> <br />Opportunities and Recommendations <br /> <br />Improvement of water quality, restoration of natural habitat, and increased green <br />areas near or around the Alamar River Corridor require changes in existing land use and <br />human activities. From the perspective of the Tijuana River watershed, the following is <br />an overview of particular land use activities and opportunities within the framework of <br />the proposed multiple use Alamar River Park. <br /> <br />Human Settlements. Tijuana, like other Mexican northern border cities, has been <br />growing at a rapid rate. Urban population growth and expansion are generated by <br />favorable economical conditions in the border areas. The population growth has <br />outstripped the supply of housing stock and public services. Consequently, a substantial <br />number of immigrants resort to substandard, often self-built, housing in c%nias that <br />frequently lack electricity, sewerage, paved roads, and other amenities. <br /> <br />This report proposes that Tijuana plan an expansion of urban services and provide <br />affordable housing in the Alamar River Corridor (see example of affordable housing <br />photograplO, page 24). To prevent conflict with current residents in the river corridor <br />(both legal housing and irregular settlements), a collaborative planning approach should <br />be followed. In collaborative planning, public relations experts and planners should hold <br />a series of meetings with residents in the Alamar River Corridor to obtain their input and <br />support. In addition, construction and post construction housing requirements must be <br />compatible with the protection of water quality and riparian habitat in the region. Sample <br />construction guidelines can be found in the publication titled Storm Water Asset Not <br />Liability (Dallman and Piechota 2000). <br /> <br />Agriculture. As in Southern California, agricultural land in Baja California is rapidly <br />being converted to industrial uses or urban commercial/residential uses. This rapid <br />conversion of agricultural land may not be desirable in the case ofTijuana. In Tijuana, <br />local food production provides local supplies that avoid transportation costs, while <br />preserving open space and employment. To lessen the ever-growing deficit of agricultural <br />lands in or near Tijuana, it is proposed that Zone 3 and portions of Zone 2 of the Alamar <br />River Valley be designated as an urban agricultural preserve. In addition, an open-air <br />market to sell produce from the agricultural preserve, as well as local artisan-produced <br />items could attract local residents and tourists. In the northern part of the City of San <br />Diego, the San Pasqual Valley has been zoned and designated as an urban agricultural <br />preserve. An analysis of the San Pasqual Valley urban agricultural preserve will provide <br />relevant information for planners ofthe Alamar River Valley. <br /> <br />An integral activity for this Alamar River Agricultural preserve could be organic <br />farming. Organic farming reduces or eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers and <br />pesticides-two probable contaminants of water resources in the Alamar River Valley. <br />Although more applicable to a small producer scale, it lends itself economically to an <br />agricultural model of the "farmer first," which empowers, learns from, and supplements <br />local natural resources and agricultural knowledge. In the United States, sales of organic <br />farm products have increased 20 percent annually. In 2000, sales are expected to reach <br /> <br />37 <br />