FOLIO Volume 3: 19.8 (coming soon) 

Africa has the world’s youngest population. The median age across the continent is 19.8, almost half that of Europe and the United States. All the world’s top 10 youngest countries are in Africa and the number of young people, defined as those between 15 and 24, is set to increase by 42% by 2030. 

In this third volume, we will be publishing contributions that examine the past, present and future impacts that this ‘youthful’ statistic has on the built environment, both ‘at home’ on the African continent, and more broadly in the African diaspora.  

What are the architectural imaginaries of Africa’s youth? What new tools, structures and performance criteria are being developed by or for African youth to drive change within the built environment? How are these addressing the tension between tradition and contemporary culture? What geographical alliances and networks are driving forward engagement of African youth in the built environment? What role has social media played in the construction and circulation of African architectural aspirations, and how effective has it been in translation to realised projects? What impact has global youth culture had on Africa and its diaspora, and vice versa? What is the relationship between old and new? Do innovation and youth go hand-in-hand? What is the relationship between youth and urbanisation? 

We are delighted to announce the AFI has received a grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts for FOLIO Volume 3: 19.8. We would like to thank the Graham Foundation for its continuing commitment and support of projects that explore contemporary conditions, expand historical perspectives, imagine the future of architecture, and ultimately, create opportunities for critical dialogue. 

Please note: the call for papers is now closed.