the (historical) identity of the African City Centre

African Cities have many identities. Many have existed through a vast depth of time. Others were Colonial creations. Some are hybrids. Within these formations the African City Centre also has many identities. The City Centre’s past and future lives were and are determined by culture in general; encompassing ritual, work, recreation and dwelling, all within a larger urban, regional and global network of connectiveness. What can be said and shown of the historical and contemporary cultural identity/ies of the African City Centre, and how does this manifest in urban form, process, pattern, place and architecture?