A Venezuelan architect and urban consultant, Benjamin Reif studied at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the Central University of Venezuela (1962-67). His student work on prefabrication systems, in metal and plastic, were subsequently published in 1969. He jumpstarted his career as an architect in Venezuela, but shortly after, moved to the UK and joined the Architectural Association in the academic year 1969-70, where he is listed as having completed his post-graduate course from the Department of Tropical Architecture. Immediately after graduating, he undertook another MSc. Degree at the Cranfield Institute of Technology, Bedford, UK (1970-71), where his research project on operations research became the embryo for his landmark book, “Models in Urban and Regional Planning”, which he completed after returning to Venezuela and published in 1973. His book combines techniques from operations research and systems analysis to analyze urban spatial systems. After returning to Venezuela, he also appears to have also worked as a professor at his alma mater, the Central University of Venezuela – a position which he intermittently interrupted to complete periods of work and study abroad but only retired from in 2002. Between 1974 and 1976, he served as the UN Habitat coordinator of the activities of Latin American and Caribbean countries for the Human Settlements Conference which took place in Vancouver, Canada in 1976. From 1977-81, he completed a PhD in Urban and Regional Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which explored the influence of Venezuela’s policies of industrial decentralization. After earning his degree, he returned to Caracas, Venezuela and founded his consultancy, Reif Consultores Asociados, which advises on the socioeconomic and environmental impact of planning and where he appears to continue working. Between 2003 and 2006, he was a consultant for the Venezuelan Ministry of Housing.
Sources
- Architectural Association Student Register 1945‐1972, AA Archives
- Architectural Association Diploma Roll Book, 1964-75, AA Archives
- Models in Urban and Regional Planning/Lonard Hill Books, England · Jan 1, 1973
- MIT thesis, Government Incentives and Insdustrial Location: Some Considerations for Venezuela, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, May 1981
- Personal linkedin profile, https://www.linkedin.com/in/reif-benjam%C3%ADn-aa053b23/, accessed 25 May 24, 2025
- Benjamin Reif Groisman. ‘Vivienda Multifamiliar Economica Prefabricada en Meta.’ Punto, No. 19, 1969
- Benjamin Reif Groisman, ‘Vivenda Obrera Prefabricada en Plastico Reforzado’, Punto, No. 19, 1969
