Includes bibliographical references and index. Part of a series on "New Directions in Architecture." Also published as New Architecture in Africa in 1963.

Bibliography: p. 116-119.

"New Directions in African Architecture" by Udo Kultermann is a pioneering survey of architecture in Africa, published in 1969. The book documents and analyzes the architectural landscape that emerged in various African nations following their independence. Kultermann's work is a valuable resource that addresses a gap in the literature of the time, which often overlooked or marginalized modern architectural developments on the continent.

The book emphasizes the architectural styles that emerged after 1960, with a particular focus on educational buildings. Kultermann explores how a new generation of African architects, along with European practitioners working in Africa, began to create a distinct architectural identity. It goes beyond the colonial-era "tropical architecture" and highlights a move toward a more context-sensitive and culturally responsive modernism. The book is heavily illustrated with photographs and plans of buildings, organized by their function, including government buildings, hospitals, and housing. It shows a forward-looking vision of African architecture, highlighting a blend of local traditions with modern techniques and materials. Kultermann's work is celebrated for recognizing the potential of modern African architecture to reflect and shape new national identities.