The Dynamics of Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Human Settlements (Volume 3): Pan African City Symposium 2026

The 2026 Pan African City Symposium and Exposition (PACSE), convened under the theme “Smart Futures: From Smart Villages to Smart Economies” bringing together global practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and thought leaders from across Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the African diaspora. This multidisciplinary gathering explores bold, locally grounded, and globally informed approaches to building sustainable and resilient human settlements.PACSE 2026 serves as a platform to reflect 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.Presenters showcase pioneering strategies for circular economies, indigenous knowledge integration, inclusive planning, smart village models, and climate-adaptive infrastructure, offering a unique window into emerging practices from both the Global South and North.Central to PACSE 2026 is a commitment to equity. Contributions examine how race, gender, class, and geography intersect in shaping access to resources and opportunities within urban and rural systems. From women-led development in Africa and Latin America to youth-driven climate action and diaspora finance models, the symposium amplifies underrepresented voices and solutions.This Research Topic published across Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management and Frontiers in Sustainable Cities welcomes contributions that reflect PACSE’s pillars:1. Innovation: Exploring cutting-edge technologies, social innovation, and design thinking that catalyze change.2. Sustainability: Highlighting resource-efficient, low-carbon, and ecologically regenerative practices adaptable across contexts.3. Equity: Advancing inclusive frameworks that center justice, dignity, and co-creation for historically excluded populations.4. Building resilient communities and citiesThrough this partnership with Frontiers, PACSE aims to disseminate the transformative insights generated during the symposium and contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue on sustainable urban and resource systems—positioning African, Caribbean, and diaspora contributions not at the margins, but at the forefront of this urgent work.This special collection is framed around these interlocking pillars, with submissions encouraged from academic researchers, practitioners, community leaders, and policy innovators whose work reflects the spirit and substance of PACSE 2026. Topic editors: Prudence Khumalo, Sibongangani Khonelihle Mngomezulu, Sheri Parks Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82843/the-dynamics-of-sustainable-inclusive-and-equitable-human-settlements-volume-3-pan-african-city-symposium-2026