This conference is part of an ongoing attempt to define and propagate African architecture.
It aimed to build on previous work, for example the Conference on Modern Architecture in East Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, July 2005.
The convocation African Perspectives can be seen as a follow up of African Architecture Today. It took place at the Technical University of Delft 6-8 December 2007 in collaboration with ArchiAfrika.
More often than not, African Architecture has been presented to the world by various foreign scholars from a Eurocentric perspective. This has largely been done along two lines:
- monumental structures such as the pyramids of Egypt,
- the underground rock churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia,
- and the Great Zimbabwean Ruins rectilinear and circular earth buildings,
- as well as nomadic dwellings which are often described as indigenous architecture.
This, and the dearth of literature on African Architecture, especially by Africans, has tended to perpetuate a mystique about the subject
Recent developments challenging the Eurocentric focus on Architectural education world-wide have rather resulted in romantic and exaggerated accounts of African Architecture. Such accounts need to be corrected so that what actually pertains on the ground will be properly recorded and discussed. Major new investment is underway in many countries, and high quality and high profile developments have either been recently completed or are under construction.
An understanding and recognition of what is being achieved will gain support for much-needed capacity building in the subject. It can contribute to the changing profile of Africa's emerging economies, and encourage inward investment. It can increase self-confidence of African nations in the global context.