Ideas. Evidence. Implementation.
Access research, trusted advisors, and cross-continental dialogue shaping the future of housing and smart communities.
Hosted by: Elizabeth Scott Glenn
Founder and Chair Emeritus
Elizabeth Scott Glenn introduces the vision behind the Smart Futures Podcast and outlines UAC’s human-centered approach to housing, governance, and community transformation. This opening episode establishes the strategic and values foundation for Season 1: Building Tomorrow Together.
Guest: Professor Sijekula Mbanga, Ph.D (loDSA)
Full Professor and Chair of Human Settlements, Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The 2025 Pan African City Symposium & Exposition Abstract Book, presents a curated selection of cutting-edge research, policy innovations, and case studies that address the evolving challenges and opportunities in urban and human settlement development.
This year’s collection aligns with our conference theme, “Driving Innovation, Advancing Sustainability, and Empowering Equity,” offering a multidisciplinary exploration of smart city strategies, inclusive urban design, climate resilience, and equitable housing solutions. Contributors from academia, industry, and government share insights on how governance, technology, and social frameworks intersect to shape sustainable urban environments.
The abstracts highlight strategies that prioritize community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic inclusivity, ensuring that cities of the future are resilient, adaptive, and human-centered. This volume serves as an essential resource for policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and industry professionals seeking actionable insights into the future of urban development. By bridging theory and practice, the 2025 PACSE Abstract Book equips readers with the knowledge to implement scalable, impactful solutions that foster sustainable and equitable urbanization in Africa, the U.S., and beyond.
Bowie State University, Bowie,
Maryland, USA
The 2024 Pan African Symposium on the Pan African City provides an in-depth exploration of paths towards constructing and managing human settlements that uphold the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and equity. Drawn from diverse disciplines, the conference collates cutting-edge research and case studies on transformative approaches in urban and peri-urban development and planning, widening the lens through which we view the lifespan and use of human settlements.
The event aims to interrogate how power dynamics, governance structures, and social capital intersect to shape inclusivity and equity in human settlement, provoking thought about how to truly weave sustainability into the fabric of urban planning. By blending academic rigor with practical relevance, this event forms an invaluable resource for researchers, urban planners, policymakers, and anyone seeking to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for human settlements.
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