Is Africa's architecture dying?

As African architects meet in Ghana to discuss the continent's architecture, do you like the buildings where you live?

Recent headlines talk of modern buildings collapsing in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, killing and injuring scores of people. Authorities and members of the public blame shoddy workmanship for these incidents.

Africa is home to some of the world's most impressive and well-built buildings - such as the well-preserved Djenne Mosque in Mali built in the 13th Century from mud.

But other examples of older architecture have either been knocked down to give way to modern buildings or are simply neglected.

What impact does this have on our architectural heritage? What do you like about the public buildings where you live and work? Do you like or hate what you see? What does Africa's architecture mean to you?

This debste is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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Your comments:

Africa's rural architectural heritage alone cannot meet the challenge of the rapidly expanding African cities where a heavy construction industry is absolutely necessary. Architecture is however the product of industrial development that is dying in Africa because of poor government.
Boniface Niba, Florence-Italy- Cameroonian

African architecture has been neglected in studies and learning in most architecture schools. It requires a specialized knowledge in the history and environment of the area. Therefore Africa needs to seek and discover sustainable architecture on its own terms.
Kitty Xia, PA, USA

Modern African buildings have little consideration for climate and ecology, there is need to rethink construction practices, keeping these within African traditions using locally available materials.
Kerstin, Cotonou/Benin

There could definitely be a revival in African architecture, but it's going to require a culture that is proud enough to become more articulate on its own terms Paul Khotle, USA/Lesotho

There could definitely be a revival in African architecture, especially taking into account the spectrum of the great forts from Benin to Zimbabwe as well as the village huts. But it's going to require a culture that is proud enough to become more articulate on its own terms.
Paul Khotle, USA/ Maseru, Lesotho

It's not the architecture dying in Africa, but its the sub-standard building materials. Most of the cement in Uganda has been tampered with by the business men who want to make more profits.
Christine, Kampala Uganda

Our Mauritanian traditional buildings are the best for us. We use stone and construct them in such a way that we are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Of course, every Mauritanian loves his tent (khaima) better than any building (except the mosque). The tent may not be a practical structure in other parts of Africa, but for us it represents freedom and beauty itself. And if your tent falls apart, you can easily make another one!
Mohammed Sid'Ahmed Ould Dah, Tidjikja, Mauritania

Although the colonial architecture in Africa is certainly admirable, Africa should strive to create a new architecture for itself. Today's opportunity, aspiration, and charge should be for Africa's architects to use their creative insight and contextual setting to give form and style to an indigenous movement derived from what is truly and uniquely Africa.
Curt Berg, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

If it is true that civilisation began in Africa; then it should be accepted that the Pyramids were built with the greatest architectural knowledge. And these come out to be the wonders of the world, meaning there is no greater architectural works in the world than those found in Africa. With modern architectural; the beauty is there but there is lack of longevity in buildings.

Yes I do think that Architecture in Africa is deteriorating. There seems to be lack of pride in architecture that is of African descent. The different styles of huts and the obvious designs of the Timbuktu ruins can be replicated and modernized but we are so quick to embrace the Eurocentric.
Grace, Washington, DC

Do we have no knowledge Africa's pre-colonial past at all? What about the palaces that existed in the ancient city of Benin and the remaining of the Asanti compounds of Ghana? Its not the architecture that has a problem its the world's complete ignorance about Africa before the Europeans destroyed everything.
Keegan Nunley, Boston, USA

The architecture that is indigenous to Africa is too primitive. Africa has to move with recent advances in building construction. The need of the people in Africa has changed over the time therefore buildings should be designed and built in a way that these needs are met. Colonial buildings were well constructed and beautiful but require maintenance.
Joshua, Lusaka, Zambia

I think the main problem is town planning. It doesn't make any sense to have a beautiful sky scrapper right next to a dump yard, market place or an open sewer. Town planning should be looked at as just an important subject as architecture.
Wilhelm Hesse, Zambia

Deep down the slopes and valleys of Africa the African heritage stands elegantly Andrew O, South Africa

African architecture is very much alive in Africa, let the few misconstrued architectural pieces we see in some African capitals not deceive us. Deep down the slopes and valleys of Africa the African heritage stands elegantly.
Andrew O, South Africa

Africa's architecture, particularly the colonial structures, means so much to me. You might be surprised to know that the structure that used to serve as a German fort in the colonial days is today housing the governor of the North West province. This just shows you how much legacy still remains of the old buildings and how much effort was put in to build a credible infrastructure.
Israel Ambe Ayongwa, Bamenda, Cameroon

How can we speak of an African Renaissance without an African identity? Architecture is the marker, the ultimate symbol, of each civilization!
Khalil Djalal, Ottawa, Canada

It is very sad to know that huge sums of money is used to renovate public buildings. Money which should be been used to erect better structures. All these is because of the gross mismanagement and corruption that reign in Africa today.
Lizette Betanga, Yaounde, Cameroon

Anything from the West is cherished by Africans. Where are the pyramids and other African architectures considered as the wonders of the world? We go to school only to learn what is from the West. In Ghana if you furnish your room with African arts you are criticised of being a pagan. Why won't buildings collapse, when the architecture is not suited for the region? Africans, let us rise and be inventive.
Daniel Bassah, Accra, Ghana

As architects, it is important for us to preserve essential geometries, symbols, relics, concepts and other elements that define African architecture. We can then incorporate these design ideas into the practical, and functional needs of today's Africa. This way we can move into a new definition of African future architecture that has a respect for the past.
TM, Zimbabwe/New York City

Is it only in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda buildings have been collapsing? Even in Europe and the United States where perhaps they have better building structures, well built buildings have been collapsing. Anyway, while we give way to modern impressive architecture, we must not neglect our heritage in style and meaning.
Victor Chambers, Sierra Leonean in Ghana

If there is a time for African architecture to shine its now. The industrialised world is coming to terms with the intelligence of environmental friendly architecture, a fact well incarnated in African architecture. Instead of amplifying the mess done by colonial architects, Africans should do more research in the designs of their towns and consequently on the use of local building materials that history has proved to be more beneficial to mankind and to our environment.
Awich Kawich, Bordeaux, France

Let us be honest about this. Like our history, our architecture has never been developed - and will never be, as long as our rulers' main interest remains the looting of our treasuries.
UE, Kent, UK/Nigeria

It's a matter of economics. Right now there's big demand for affordable low cost architecture. This can be had w/out making aesthetic sacrifices but it requires creativity. The resurgence in low cost prefab module housing in the higher end markets is a step in this direction. These building units can be mass produced at an affordable cost.
Cullen McGraw, New York

Africa has no culture of maintenance Fareeda, Katsina, Nigeria/US

Our traditional architecture is best suited for our environments. One of the biggest problems is that Africa has no culture of maintenance. Our leaders are busy demolishing historic sites and individuals don't even keep the structures of their own homes and communities in shape.
Fareeda, Katsina, Nigeria/US

The 100 plus year old colonial wooden houses, built on stilts with pass through passive ventilation found in Beira, Mozambique, offer an appropriate approach to cooling for the humid south. These are not only distinctive but time tested approaches to living comfortably in difficult climates.
David Grant, Tucson, Arizona

African buildings have to be preserved and I strongly believe that it is up to the local people to do this. I love the fact that some old buildings are still in use and are very functional. Take Mosques of Mali for example every years the locals hold a party and re-mud the buildings. It's actions like this that are need in Africa today.
Fatima Ali, London, England, UK

African architecture of the past served the people in their times of innocence. Not any more. It never envisaged cities of more than ten million people, most with different cultural backgrounds. Perhaps what the architects should do is to marry the two so the ideal African architecture would evolve.
Abdulai MUSA, LAGOS, Nigeria

There are newly painted buildings strewn along the streets of big towns but they have short life span? The only buildings worth talking about are the ones that were designed by our colonial masters. Some of the public buildings are nothing but graves since they do not promise to stand the test of time.
Shuttie FN Libuta, Kitwe, Zambia

Africa's architecture means a whole lot to me as an individual. It is a great reminder of history and early developments in Africa. The biggest problem apart from shoddy work, that we face in Africa is the maintenance culture. A committee on restoration and maintenance of architectural buildings should be set up by each government. These buildings could also serve as tourist attractions if well maintained.
Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA

South Africa has absolutely no town planning or building restrictions. People like to visit beautiful places not ugly cities and towns whether it is e for business or pleasure.
Grant Mufford, South Africa