ICCCASU 2026
"Financing the Sustainable City"
4
Conference Days
3
Continents
20+
Sessions
10th
Anniversary Edition
A Decade of Trilateral Urban Dialogue
The 10th ICCCASU Annual Conference marks a milestone decade of cross-continental collaboration between Canada, China, and Africa. Hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, the 2026 edition convenes researchers, policymakers, urban planners, and practitioners from around the world.
This year's theme — "Financing the Sustainable City" — addresses one of the most pressing challenges in urban development: how cities in the Global South can mobilize the financial resources needed to build resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban futures.
The conference features keynote addresses, panel discussions, paper presentations, roundtables, and a special UN-Habitat session, culminating in the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Urban Finance.
Nairobi, Kenya
Host City · September 2026
Key Topics
Financing the Sustainable City
Municipal bonds, development finance, and innovative funding mechanisms for urban infrastructure across the Global South.
Resilience & Equity
Climate adaptation, social equity, and inclusive urban development strategies for rapidly growing cities.
Smart City Innovation
Technology-driven urban solutions, data governance, and digital infrastructure from China to Africa.
Informal Urbanism
Upgrading strategies, land tenure reform, and community-led development in informal settlements.
Policy & Governance
Comparative urban governance frameworks, decentralization, and multi-level policy coordination.
Trilateral Dialogue
Cross-continental knowledge exchange between Canadian, Chinese, and African urban researchers and practitioners.
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) is East Africa's premier conference facility, located in the heart of Nairobi's central business district. With state-of-the-art facilities, the KICC provides an ideal setting for ICCCASU's 10th Anniversary Conference.
The venue offers multiple plenary halls, breakout rooms, exhibition spaces, and dining facilities — all within walking distance of Nairobi's major hotels and transport links.
Conference Programme
All times are East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3). The full programme is subject to minor adjustments. Sessions marked as Papers are parallel tracks.
Theme: Arrival & Pre-Conference Workshop
Financing the Sustainable City — Pre-Conference Workshop
KICC, Room A
Networking Lunch for Early Arrivals
KICC Foyer
Urban Data Commons: Open Research Session
KICC, Room B
Welcome Reception
KICC Rooftop Terrace
Theme: Financing the Sustainable City
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Addresses
Main Auditorium
Keynote: Urban Finance in the Global South
Main Auditorium
Panel A — Municipal Bonds & Infrastructure Finance in African Cities
Hall 1
Panel B — Smart City Investment Models: Lessons from China
Hall 2
Lunch Break
KICC Dining Hall
Roundtable: Trilateral Financing Frameworks
Hall 3
Paper Presentations — Track 1: Housing Finance
Room C
Paper Presentations — Track 2: Green Infrastructure
Room D
Conference Dinner
KICC Grand Ballroom
Theme: Resilience, Equity & Urban Futures
Keynote: Climate Resilience and Urban Equity
Main Auditorium
Panel C — Informal Settlements & Upgrading Strategies
Hall 1
Panel D — Transit-Oriented Development in Canadian Cities
Hall 2
Lunch & Poster Session
KICC Foyer
UN-Habitat Special Session: New Urban Agenda Progress
Main Auditorium
Paper Presentations — Track 3: Climate & Sustainability
Room C
Paper Presentations — Track 4: Governance & Policy
Room D
ICCCASU General Assembly
Hall 3
Theme: Policy Synthesis & Closing
Synthesis Workshop: From Research to Policy
Hall 1
Closing Plenary: Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Urban Finance
Main Auditorium
Closing Ceremony & Farewell Lunch
KICC Dining Hall
Optional: Nairobi Urban Field Tour
Departs KICC
Call for Papers
ICCCASU 2026 invites submissions of full papers, extended abstracts, and policy briefs on all aspects of sustainable urban development in Canada, China, Africa, and comparative international contexts.
Accepted papers will be considered for publication in a Springer-published conference volume following peer review.
Urban Finance & Investment
Municipal bonds, development banks, PPPs, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Housing & Informal Settlements
Affordable housing, slum upgrading, land tenure, and community-led development.
Climate Resilience & Green Infrastructure
Nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban ecosystems.
Smart Cities & Digital Governance
Urban data, AI in city management, digital infrastructure, and e-governance.
Urban Governance & Policy
Decentralization, comparative governance, and multi-level policy frameworks.
Mobility & Transport
Transit-oriented development, active transport, and urban mobility systems.
Be Part of the 10th Anniversary
Researchers, policymakers, urban practitioners, and students from across Canada, China, Africa, and beyond are invited to attend, present, and contribute to the Nairobi Declaration.