Background 

Climate variability and change is expected to have disproportionate impact on human lives and infrastructure delivery, use and maintenance in Africa.  These infrastructure systems encompass interconnected networks of assets that provide essential services for people and the economy. Such infrastructure systems help to: deliver inputs like electricity; supply water to households and businesses; dispose of solid waste and wastewater; connect people and the economy through access to transport and digital communications, among others. According to the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, infrastructure shapes the urban environment and drives long-term, equitable economic growth. Therefore, all stakeholders must build a high-quality, dependable, long-term, and resilient infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth and social well-being.  

Even with the numerous benefits associated with infrastructure systems, most of such systems still need to be planned and built to withstand the adverse impact of climate change. Although such systems could be affected by the physical impacts of climate variability and change, it is vital that they are planned and designed to build resilience to the variabilities in the climate. According to the OECD, infrastructure could be classified as climate-resilient if it has been planned, constructed, built, and managed so that it predicts, prepares for, and adapts to changing climatic conditions.  

Underinvestment in infrastructure has, over the years, resulted in the under-supply of relevant facilities and services in many African countries, thus, limiting their progress. Even so, if climate change could strain Africa's under-supplied infrastructure, then there should be concerted effort to combat its impact(s)  in Africa. New infrastructure assets ought to be prioritized, planned, designed, built, and operated to account for the changing climatic conditions. In addition, existing infrastructure susceptible to these climate variabilities could be retrofitted to avert their potential impacts. To develop more sustainable and resilient infrastructure, now more than ever, there is the need to engage a wide range of actors,  in the public and private sectors and academia, to take the necessary actions to strengthen infrastructure climate resilience. This conference provides the platform for deliberating the delivery and management of infrastructure in Africa, in the face of a changing climate. It is to engage various stakeholders on the continent, and beyond,  on how to develop and deliver sustainable infrastructure that is resilient against climate variabilities.  

 

Conference Aim and Objectives 

The conference aims to explore ways in which academia and industry could come together to deliberate on developing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure in the wake of global climate change. The conference framework is the confluence of the following seven broad themes: 

• Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment 
• Policy and Governance Perspective 
• Infrastructure Design and Construction 
• Infrastructure Management 
• Infrastructure Investment and Financing 
• Innovation and Capacity Building 
• End-User and Other Perspectives

 

The papers submitted for the conference might explore topics including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Adaptation to climate change in infrastructure planning 
• Green Infrastructure and climate adaptation 
• Infrastructure, engineering, and climate change adaptation 
• Global climate change, adaptation, and infrastructure issues 
• Sustainable and Green buildings 
• Circular Economy 
• Industry 4.0 and 5.0 
• Net zero carbon design and construction 
• Innovative design thinking 
• Indoor environmental quality and management 
• Gender-based Issues in infrastructure development and Climate Change 
• Global construction education in resilient infrastructure 
• Housing affordability and sustainable development problems 
• Climate resilient housing policies 
• Innovative financing of climate resilience infrastructure 
• Land use planning and sustainable development 
• Maintainability and resilient infrastructure development 
• Material management and environmental concerns 
• Disaster-resilient built environment 
• Responsible consumption and production 
• Clean and affordable energy
• Art and the design of resilient infrastructure  

NOTE: These sub-themes are non-exhaustive. Authors are encouraged to propose and address topics within the conference's thematic areas. 

Student Papers

The ICIDA conference seeks to promote research and collaboration in Africa and beyond. Hence, the organizers are encouraging the submission of papers and research proposals from students (especially, postgraduates) in relation to the theme of the conference. These will be presented in a special session to be held for such students during the conference. 

Guidelines for the submission and acceptance of abstracts and papers: 

Please submit your abstract of not more than 250 words and include up to 5 keywords to icida.cabe@knust.edu.gh 

Abstracts will be sent to two referees. Only the authors whose abstracts pass this peer-review process will be invited to submit full papers.  

The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 23:59hrs GMT on 15th June, 2023. 

Details of full  Submitted papers will be reviewed two members . The author(s) of accepted papers will be invited to present them at  the conference. At least one of the authors must register and attend the conference. 

In addition to the above, the conference is open to private individuals and corporate entities interested in the delivery, use and management of resilient infrastructure and sustainable development in the global south.  

 

Venue Information: 

The conference is scheduled at the Amonoo-Neizer Conference Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana.  

Conference Committee 

• Prof. Clifford Amoako (Conference Director) 
• Prof. Emmanuel Adinyira (Conference Co-Director)
• Dr. Titus Ebenezer Kwofie (Conference Manager) 
• Dr. Kofi Agyekum (Conference Secretary)
• Dr. Michael Nii Addy (Conference Co-Secretary)
• Mr. Philip Peprah-Yeboah (Conference Co-Secretary)
• Dr. Eric Simpeh (Logistics Chair) 
• Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi (Publicity Chair) 
• Arc. Desmond Opoku (Co-Publicity Chair)
• Dr. (Mrs) Dorothy A. Amenuke 
• Dr. Kafui A. Ocloo (Publication Chair)
• Co-Publication Chair (Dr. Alexander B. Marful) 
• Sponsorship Chair (Dr. Owusu Amponsah)

 

Conference Fee

• International Delegates : $250

• Local Delegates: GhC500

• Students: GhC250

 

Keynote Speakers

• Emeritus Prof. Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa (KNUST, Kumasi)
• Prof. Ambrose Dodoo (Linnaeus University, Sweden)
• Prof. Clinton Aigbavboa (University of Johannesburg, South Africa) 
• Prof. Fidelis Emuze (Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa)
• Dr. Fred Amonya (Infrastructure Policy, Lyciar, UK.)