African Modernism. The Architekture of Independence

In this 1950s and 1960s, most African countries gained independence from their respective colonial power. Architecture became one of the principal means by which the newly formed countries expressed their national identity. Parliament buildings, central banks, stadiums, convention centres, universities and independence memorials were built, often to heroic and daring designs. At the same time, these buildings exemplify also the difficulties, contradictions and dilemmas these countries experienced in their nation-building process. This book investigates the relationship between architecture and nation building in Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Zambia.