Many people say that Santa Fe, like Disney World, is a fake environment, a city created more for tourists than residents. Despite the ways that this rings true the sense of place, the symmetry, and the cohesion of Santa Fe as a city is also a very positive thing. After meeting with David Rasch of the Historic Review Board we had began to consider the complications and contradictions of this 'created' environment but our brief meeting with Harry Moul, who used to work as a city planner in Santa Fe, further revealed the complications of this difficulties of Santa Fe's historic style.
As we stand in the courtyard of Ernesto Mayans art gallery Harry tells us that Santa is and was much more eclectic than the ordinance associated with Santa Fe historic style reveals. He says that he feels that the ordinance imposes a narrative on something that is much more diverse than the endless rows of adobe and portales suggests. He discusses the ways in which a lot of actual Santa Fe culture was lost by the imposition of historic style and the romantic notions and imaginary ideas associated with it. Harry tells us that he feels, and that when he was working as a city planner he tried to encourage, that development should reflect the times in which they are being being built.
Interestingly, as far as city planning goes Harry tells us that his work was mostly concerned with infrastructure, or rather the lack of infrastructure in Santa Fe. Beginning in the early 70's planning problems had to do with basic structural issues such as sewage and water. Additionally he tells us that Santa Fe is, and has been for a while, in a somewhat difficult situation because the size of Santa Fe has began to conflict with people's idea of what Santa Fe is. The image that people hold about Santa being a small sleepy town is threatened by expansion and development--things that cities frequently encourage due to economic benefits.
In passing though Harry offers me an idea that gives me a clearer way of understanding Santa Fe and the people that inhabit it. He says that when he first moved to Santa Fe his Spanish American friends called him and other Anglos like him 'ex-patriates'. This characterization of the kinds of people who have been historically (and currently) drawn to Santa Fe provides a very plausible explanation for the romantic, created aspects of Santa Fe. As a city many aspects of the culture, architecture, and structure are driven by an outsiders idea of what the Southwest should be.
To me Santa Fe may always be a city of ex-pats. A city occupied by well intentioned individuals seeking escape and redefining and creating their environment in doing so. I do not fault them for this but this perspective does provide me with a way of understanding the aspects of Santa Fe, both culturally and structurally, that seem forced and leaving me feeling slightly unsettled.
-Maya Lemon
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