Modernist architecture and the urban transformation of Maputo, Mozambique, between history and modernity.

Maputo’s modernist architecture is at the heart of this book: the ground floors of its buildings serve as a prism to explore the transformation of postcolonial cities, focusing on streets, public spaces, and urban mutations. Giovanna Silva’s photography captures the city’s evolving landscape and social fabric, while interviews with Ana Tostões and Ana Raquel Machava shed light on Maputo’s architectural heritage and challenges. Architects Matteo Poli and Luca Astorri (AOUMM) discuss its possible futures and lasting legacies, interrogating notions of globalization, resilience, and identity. The book highlights the dynamic interplay between history and modernity, while offering a broader reflection on urban adaptation and transformation in postcolonial contexts, as well as the importance of preserving and studying these modernist structures to build a sustainable and inclusive future in Maputo.