Caracas: privatization and re- signification of public spaces

Abstract

Caracas. The Theme of this Paper is the privatization of space and re-signification of the public domain in a space-time urban analysis of the development of the actual urban fabric. The analysis is based on concepts as the metamorphosis of the inhabited space and the different space categories for understanding a social context of social exclusion. This social- space- time construction leads to identifying a particular urban environment, based on privatization of public space, disaffiliated modes of public life and great social disparities. The periodization which gives an understandable overview of the transformations in the socio-political and economical spheres, and clarifies the structure of relationships among the actors involved in the processes, resulting mainly in social inequalities, increased market forces, withdrawal of governments and previous authoritarian regimes. The analysis focus also on three selected main state built urban typologies: the Avenue Parisian, social housing blocks and urban highways. These examples which denote the social processes of adaptation, distortion and integration of imported models and structures to the local context and indicate changes of function through time.