On the 16th of July 2026 we co-hosted an Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Seminar with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). Titled "Towards Circular and Regenerative Cities: Rethinking Urban Systems for Sustainable Human Settlements in South Africa" (PNG, 2.03MB), the seminar explored how South African cities can transition from traditional linear models of resource consumption to circular and regenerative urban systems that promote sustainability, resilience, and socio-economic inclusion. The event brought together experts from academia and urban practice, who discussed how integrated approaches to managing resources in the built environment such as water can create more efficient, adaptive, and restorative cities. The session covered a rich discussion where participants gained insights into scalable solutions and innovative strategies that can support sustainable human settlements, strengthen urban resilience, and address South Africa's unique challenges of inequality, climate change, resource constraints, and spatial transformation.
Our speakers:
- Mrs Riëtte Kotzé is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture at Nelson Mandela University, where she teaches Advanced Construction and Professional Practice, and co-supervises M-Arch design studio. She is currently a D-Arch candidate focusing on the integration of circular economy principles into architectural education, with a particular interest in locally grounded, informal and context-responsive practices. Her work explores how architectural design teaching can better support resource-conscious, inclusive and circular built environments in South Africa.
Find the presentation here (PDF, 7.24MB).
- Dr. Calayde Davey, with a background in architecture and environmental design, focuses on urban strategy, digital transformation, and innovation in the built environment. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria, she leads the Africa Built Environment Digital Innovation (Africa-BEDI) initiative and Urban Strategy Studio, integrating emerging technologies with regenerative design and delivery practices. Her interests include Lean design and construction, organizational and urban strategy, and industry-academia collaboration. As co-founder of BIM Harambee, she supports the integration of digital tools in education and practice, preparing students for interdisciplinary professional environments. Her research and teaching emphasize strategic leadership, transdisciplinary practice, 6IR and regenerative development in response to evolving urban challenges.
Find the presentation here (PDF, 41.3MB).
You can watch the seminar on our YouTube channel by following this link.
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