Mogadishu: evolution of an African capital – in pictures

The governor's palace during colonial times. The exhibition literature says it "aims to tell the story of Somalia’s journey from traditional African nation via colonisation and post colonialism to emergent independent state." Photograph: Italian Geographic Society

Italian governor's residence, later renamed Villa Somalia, 1930s. The gallery states: "This trajectory may be familiar to Africa but its manifestations are not: how was Mogadishu created as a modern African capital?" Photograph: Laboratorio di Ricerca Documentazione Storica Iconografica, Roma Tre University

Banadir regional administration, 1930s. One of the aims of the project is also to challenge "familiar mainstream images that depict the city solely as a place of conflict and destruction." Photograph: Private Collection

Aerial view of Hamar-Weine (old city), 1923. "Examining this urban process the exhibition reflects on how under Italian colonial rule the former compact, traditional Arab style city was transformed into a cosmopolitan modern African city at the beginning of the 20th century." Photograph: Italian Geographic Society

The governor's palace and Southern Cross hotel Photograph: Private Collection

Office buildings, Shingani district. Ali and Cross are trying to "offer a unique account of what remains of the city’s urban fabric and key modernist symbols after two decades of civil conflict." Photograph: Andrew Cross

The national assembly building, built in 1972 Photograph: Andrew Cross

The view towards government quarters in downtown Mogadishu Photograph: Andrew Cross

The national assembly building, built in 1972. “Being in Mogadishu,” says Cross, “gave me a palpable sense of the enduring qualities of architecture; not only physically but in the spirit of their original intent. Stripped to their essential elements, these buildings spoke clearly of the civic purpose for which they were built – and the possibility of continuing with that purpose in the future.” Photograph: Andrew Cross

The National Theatre, built in 1972. Modernism had a particular influence on the architecture undertaken after independence in 1960, being seen as a manifestation with which Somalia could assert its new identity. Photograph: Andrew Cross

The women's ministry building, built in the 1980s Photograph: Andrew Cross