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?
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