Photographic Narratives of Modern Public Housing in Venezuela Across Two Moments

Two iconic public housing complexes in Caracas, Venezuela—Unidad de Habitación Cerro Grande and Comunidad 23 de Enero—offer a stark contrast between the propagandistic modernist image promoted under Marcos Pérez Jiménez’s dictatorship and their current state of deterioration. A comparative analysis of photographs from their construction era (1950s) and today reveals budgetary constraints, rushed deadlines, and architectural concessions that shaped their design. Despite these challenges, the complexes retain enduring formal and spatial qualities, sustaining everyday life in Caracas. This study leverages a photographic archive to dissect the interplay between political narratives, architectural principles, and urban resilience.

Jaua, M. F. (2026). Photographic Narratives of Modern Public Housing in Venezuela Across Two Moments. Sophia Journal, 10(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-8976_2025_0010_0001_7