About ICCCASU
A trilateral think-tank bridging Canada, China, and Africa through rigorous research, policy dialogue, and collaborative action — building the intellectual foundation for equitable, resilient urban futures.
10
Years of Impact
80+
Publications
14
Partner Universities
3
Continents
Global Ideas,
Local Solutions
ICCCASU — the International Conference on Canadian, Chinese and African Sustainable Development — was founded in 2016 at the University of Ottawa with a singular conviction: that the most pressing urban challenges of our time demand cross-continental collaboration.
We operate at the intersection of three distinct urban traditions — the planned cities of Canada, the rapidly transforming metropolises of China, and the fast-growing urban centres of Africa. Each context offers unique lessons; together, they form a powerful laboratory for sustainable urban innovation.
Through annual conferences, fellowship programs, peer-reviewed publications, and policy networks, ICCCASU connects researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across borders — translating academic insight into real-world impact.
Three Continents, One Vision
Canada
Home to ICCCASU's founding institutions — the University of Ottawa and Carleton University — Canada contributes expertise in urban governance, housing policy, Indigenous land rights, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
China
With the world's most rapid urbanization over the past four decades, China offers unparalleled insights into smart city technology, high-density planning, green building standards, and urban-rural migration dynamics.
Africa
Africa's cities are growing faster than any other region on Earth. ICCCASU partners with African institutions to address informal settlements, infrastructure deficits, climate vulnerability, and the potential of leapfrog urbanism.
Our Values
Trilateral Collaboration
We bridge Canada, China, and Africa — three distinct urban contexts — to generate comparative insights that no single region could produce alone.
Evidence-Based Research
Our work is grounded in rigorous academic inquiry, peer-reviewed publications, and data-driven analysis of urban systems and sustainability challenges.
Policy Innovation
We translate research into actionable policy recommendations, working directly with municipal governments, international agencies, and civil society.
Inclusive Dialogue
We convene diverse voices — academics, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders — to ensure that urban solutions reflect lived realities.
Academic Excellence
In partnership with leading universities and publishers including Springer and UN-Habitat, we uphold the highest standards of scholarly output.
Local Relevance
While our scope is global, our impact is local. We prioritize research that addresses the specific urban challenges facing cities in each partner region.
Board & Leadership
Professor Huhua Cao
Co-President, ICCCASU
Professor, University of Ottawa
CanadaProfessor Benjamin Gianni
Vice-President, ICCCASU
Professor, Carleton University
CanadaProfessor Fulong Wu
Board Member
Bartlett Professor of Planning, University College London
InternationalProfessor Yan Song
Board Member
Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North AmericaProfessor Alioune Badiane
Board Member
Former Director, UN-Habitat
AfricaProfessor Jianfa Shen
Board Member
Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong
ChinaA Decade of Impact
ICCCASU founded at the University of Ottawa, Canada
First Annual Conference held in Ottawa — 12 countries represented
Partnership established with UN-Habitat and Springer publishing
Conference hosted in Beijing, China — Smart Cities theme
Virtual conference during COVID-19 — 400+ participants globally
Launch of Urban Data Commons research platform
Conference hosted in Accra, Ghana — Green Infrastructure theme
Green Infrastructure Fellowship program launched — 24 fellows
80+ peer-reviewed publications; 14 partner universities
Policy Innovation Network expanded to 50+ cities across 3 continents
10th Anniversary Conference — Nairobi, Kenya · September 18–20
Our Partners
Join the Conversation
Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, urban practitioner, or institution — there is a place for you in the ICCCASU network.