Economic Integration, Emerging Fields and Cross-border Governance: The Case of San Diego–Tijuana

The border cities of San Diego and Tijuana have experienced increasing cross-border economic, social and political relationships that have brought about the need for increasing governance of regional cross-border issues. Cross-border public, private and non-profit organizations have emerged on both sides of the border. The cross-border cooperation and governance in the San Diego–Tijuana region has promoted both the infrastructure and economic projects that have been required by different public and private organizations. The economic organizations that are considered incumbents are trying to develop a strategic action field in the area of cross-border economic activity. Challengers are represented by organizations looking to encourage educational, cultural and ecological cooperation and are considered actors interacting in an emerging field. Both incumbents and challengers have yet to develop more extensive networks in order to have greater influence in the region.