A global network of leaders designing people-centered solutions across Africa, the Diaspora, and beyond.
Nelson Mandela University
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Dear Colleagues, Partners, Presenters, Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Friends,
On behalf of the US Africa Collaborative and our partners, I warmly invite you to participate in the 2026 Pan African City Symposium & Exposition — PACSE, hosted at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, from June 22–29, 2026.
This year’s theme, “Smart Futures: From Smart Villages to Smart Economies,” reflects both the urgency and the opportunity before us. Across Africa, the United States, and the global African Diaspora, communities are seeking bold, practical, and inclusive solutions to housing insecurity, climate vulnerability, economic inequality, infrastructure gaps, food insecurity, and the future of human settlements.
Your participation matters for three important reasons.
First, PACSE is a solutions-driven platform.
This is not simply a conference where ideas are presented and forgotten. PACSE brings together researchers, practitioners, public officials, developers, artists, entrepreneurs, students, investors, and community leaders to explore real-world strategies that can strengthen human settlements, advance sustainability, and support shared prosperity.
Second, PACSE creates bridges across borders, disciplines, and sectors.
Our work is rooted in collaboration. The challenges facing cities, rural communities, informal settlements, and emerging smart villages cannot be solved in silos. PACSE provides a rare opportunity for academic research, professional practice, public policy, cultural expression, and community wisdom to meet in one space.
Third, PACSE helps build the future we say we want.
If we believe in climate-resilient communities, affordable housing, circular economies, smart villages, ethical technology, inclusive trade, and equitable development, then we must gather, organize, learn, and act together. Your presence helps move the conversation from aspiration to implementation.
We invite you to join us in Gqeberha for a week of powerful dialogue, practical learning, cultural exchange, partnership-building, and collective imagination. Whether you are presenting research, exhibiting a product or service, joining a forum, nominating an awardee, sponsoring the event, or simply attending to learn and connect, your participation will help shape the next chapter of this growing global movement.
We look forward to welcoming you to South Africa.
Onward,
Elizabeth Glenn
Chair Emeritus
US Africa Collaborative
Convener, Pan African City Symposium & Exposition
The 2026 Pan African City Symposium & Exposition — PACSE will convene from June 22–29, 2026, at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The university’s Summerstrand campuses are located in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, with the South Campus located on University Way and the North Campus on Gardham Avenue in Summerstrand.
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The 2026 theme is: Smart Futures: From Smart Villages to Smart Economies
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PACSE is designed as a dual-format symposium and exposition, bringing together both:
Academic research presentations focused on scholarship, policy analysis, emerging theory, and evidence-based approaches; and Practitioner presentations focused on projects, innovations, professional practice, public-sector initiatives, community-based models, and implementation strategies.Â
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This dual format allows PACSE to serve as a bridge between research and action. Scholars, government officials, entrepreneurs, artists, developers, planners, advocates, and community leaders are invited to exchange knowledge and identify practical opportunities for collaboration.Â
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Conference Tracks
| Track | Focus Area |
| Track 1 | Housing Policy, Affordable Housing Solutions |
| Track 2 | Sustainable Urban and Rural Development |
| Track 3 | Climate Resilience and Human Settlements |
| Track 4 | Creative Placemaking, Human Centered Design, Culture and Arts |
| Track 5 | Technological Innovations, Artificial Intelligence, and Infrastructure Development |
| Track 6 | Smart Villages, Regenerative Approaches and Circular Economies |
| Track 7 | State Capacity, Social Equity and Entrepreneurship |
Signature and Special Events
| Event | Description | Date/Time |
| Event 1 | Launch of the Institute of Human Settlement Practitioners South Africa | 22 June 2026 | 14:00–16:30 |
| Event 2 | Reception Cocktail Dinner | 22 June 2026 | 18:30–21:00 |
| Event 3 | International Smart Village Design Competition Awards | 24 June 2026 | 12:00–14:00 |
| Event 4 | Frontiers Media Research Awards | 25 June 2026 | 12:00–14:00 |
| Event 5 | US-Africa Collaborative Awards and International Gala Dinner | 26 June 2026 | 18:30–22:00 |
| Event 6 | Delegates Farewell Cocktail Dinner | 29 June 2026 | 18:00–22:00 |
USAC 2026 Awards
Yes, We Can Award for Excellence in Collaboration
Provisional Conference Program At a Glance
| Date | Program Focus | Major Activities |
| June 22 | Day 1 | Official Opening | Official Opening Plenary; Lunch; Institute of Human Settlement Practitioners South Africa (IHSP-SA) Official Launch; Welcome Reception |
| June 23 | Day 2 | Plenary + Concurrent Sessions | Morning Plenary; Morning Concurrent Sessions; Lunch; Afternoon Concurrent Sessions |
| June 24 | Day 3 | Plenary + Concurrent Sessions | Morning Plenary; Morning Concurrent Sessions; International Smart Village Design Awards Luncheon; Afternoon Concurrent Sessions |
| June 25 | Day 4 | Plenary + Concurrent Sessions | Morning Plenary; Morning Concurrent Sessions; Frontiers Media Research Awards Luncheon; Afternoon Concurrent Sessions |
| June 26 | Day 5 | Forums + Awards Gala | Closing Plenary; Women’s Leadership Forum & Luncheon; African Diaspora Forum; USAC Awards Gala |
| June 27 | Site Development Tours | Grow South Africa Site Development Tours; Lunch; Site Development Tours |
| June 28 | Site Development Tours | Grow South Africa Site Development Tours; Lunch; Site Development Tours |
| June 29 | Kouga Municipality Tour + Farewell | Kouga Municipality Development Sites Tour; Lunch; Farewell Reception |
PACSE 2026 will also feature a rich schedule of special events, including:Â
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Women’s Leadership Forum
A signature convening focused on women’s leadership, innovation, equity, sustainable development, and the role of women in shaping the future of human settlements.
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African Diaspora Forum
A special dialogue exploring collaboration across Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the broader African Diaspora, with emphasis on policy, trade, culture, education, housing, health, and development.
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Homegrown Habitat: Global Housing Futures 2050 Design Competition
An international design competition highlighting bold, culturally grounded, sustainable, and future-facing approaches to housing and community development.
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Eco Art Exhibit and Installation
A creative placemaking and cultural expression component featuring artists, designers, and cultural practitioners whose work explores sustainability, land, memory, identity, environment, and community.
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PACSE Awards Gala
A celebratory evening recognizing leaders, institutions, and innovators whose work advances social justice, sustainability, housing excellence, policy leadership, civil and human rights, collaboration, and regional innovation.
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Plenary Sessions and Keynote Conversations
Daily plenaries will bring together distinguished leaders and subject-matter experts to address the major questions shaping smart villages, smart economies, sustainable human settlements, and inclusive development.
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Exhibition Hall and Innovation Showcase
The 2026 PACSE will include an Exhibition Hall showcasing organizations, businesses, institutions, innovators, artists, designers, and community-based initiatives whose work aligns with the conference theme. The Exhibition Hall will create space for networking, product and service visibility, institutional partnerships, sponsor engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
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Site Visits and Development Tours
Participants will have opportunities to engage with local and regional development contexts through curated tours and field-based learning experiences.
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Cultural Programming and Community Engagement Experiences
While attending PACSE 2026, participants are encouraged to experience the beauty and culture of Gqeberha and the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Highlights include Route 67, the Donkin Reserve and Lighthouse, the Nelson Mandela Bay beachfront, local arts and heritage experiences, and optional excursions to Addo Elephant National Park. Together, these sites offer participants a deeper connection to the history, creativity, natural beauty, and democratic legacy of the Eastern Cape.
Conference Location
Nelson Mandela University
Summerstrand Campus
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
South AfricaÂ
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Nelson Mandela University lists the South Campus street address as University Way, Summerstrand, Gqeberha, 6001, and the North Campus as Gardham Avenue, Summerstrand, Gqeberha, 6001.
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Nearest Airport
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport:Â Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Travel time from the airport to the Summerstrand university area is generally short by car, depending on traffic, final campus destination, and hotel location. City Lodge Hotel Gqeberha, located in the beachfront/Summerstrand area, is listed by Trip.com as approximately 7.1 km from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, about 12 minutes by car.
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Hotel Discounts for PACSE Participants
PACSE participants may access special accommodation discounts through participating City Lodge Hotel Group properties in Gqeberha.
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To book, participants may either:
Email the hotel of their choice and quote:Â PANAFRICAN
Or book online at:Â citylodgehotels.com
Using promo code:Â AAUN2026
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Participating Hotels
| Hotel | Star Rating | Discount | Booking Email |
| Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha | 4 Star | 20% | cygqeberha.resv@citylodgehotels.com |
| City Lodge Hotel Gqeberha | 3 Star | 20% | clgqeberha.resv@citylodgehotels.com |
| Town Lodge Gqeberha | 3 Star | 20% | tlgqeberha.resv@citylodgehotels.com |
| Road Lodge Gqeberha | 1 Star | 10% | rlgqeberha.resv@citylodgehotels.com |
Suggested Website Note
Hotel rooms are subject to availability. Participants are encouraged to book early and confirm cancellation policies, check-in times, airport transfer options, and transportation arrangements directly with the hotel.
Special Activities in the Eastern Cape
We are excited and privileged to announce a range of curated Eastern Cape experiences available to PACSE 2026 delegates during their visit to South Africa.
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Beyond the conference itself, delegates will have the opportunity to explore Big Five (7 actually) safari experiences, cultural events, coastal tourism attractions, automotive manufacturing tours, sustainability initiatives, and innovation showcases that highlight the unique beauty, industry, and future potential of the region.
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We encourage delegates to make the most of their time in the Eastern Cape and experience everything the region has to offer from a tourism, wildlife, economic, and sustainability perspective.
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To explore and reserve experiences, please visit Grow South Africa Events and shared prosperity.
Through our strategic programs and initiatives, we sponsor innovative research, launch transformative projects, and create thought leadership plat forms that advance sustainable development:Â
Engaging discussions with topical speakers, industry leaders, and change-makers to inspire collaboration and innovation.
A premier convening of global thought leaders to explore the future of African cities and beyond.
Elevating women as architects of communities and industries. Connecting leadership to action across Africa and the global Diaspora.
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