As at 2006, the last official nationwide census, population of Lagos State was 17.5 million. In 2016, Lagos had a population estimated at 21 million, which makes it the largest city in Africa according to World population review, Oct 26, 2016.

Focusing on the theme of Gentrification and rapidly evolving urban landscape, the interactive photo project will document old and changing urban landscapes to create a fused archive of contemporary and historic Lagos, and to prompt reflection on important questions about respect and value for history in contemporary Lagos, as well as the need to build for the burgeoning urban population and contemporary African architectural taste. Collaborating with Architect and Photographer Gillian Hopwood, and with the use of an interactive online program, the project will creatively juxtapose the images of pre-independence (1954) and early post independence photos (1984) with photos from 2015 till date.

The project actively involves online documentation of found archival photographs of Architect and Photographer Gillian Hopwood, who, with her husband John Godwin, moved to Lagos in 1954 to work. Her iconic photographs which depict dynamic architectural pieces, interesting people and famous places in Lagos are merged with photographs of present day situations and how they are being appropriated.

 

To view the photos drag the divider between the photos or click on any part of the photos.