CIGOS 2026: Over 200 scientists and experts discuss trends in sustainable urban development

The international scientific conference CIGOS 2026, themed “Innovation in planning, design and technical infrastructure toward adaptive and sustainable transformation,” officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City. The event is co-organized by AVSE Global, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture (UAH), and the Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI), and will run on April 16–17, 2026.

Participation and paper selection

In remarks at the opening, Professor Pham Trong Thuat, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture and Co-Chair of CIGOS 2026, said the conference drew broad participation from the international scientific community. More than 430 abstract submissions were received from over 45 countries, and after review by an international scientific board, more than 220 high-quality papers from over 30 countries were selected for presentation.

The conference focuses on architecture, planning, artificial intelligence (AI), structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, digital technologies, energy and the environment. With participation of more than 200 scientists, experts, engineers and managers, the resulting research papers, keynote talks and panel discussions are presented as valuable scientific data.

Cause: climate and urban development pressures

Prof. Pham Trong Thuat said the conference is intended to be more than an academic forum, aiming to translate ideas into actionable guidance. He highlighted challenges facing the construction and urban development sectors from climate change and emphasized the need to link research to practice.

“Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture aims to promote a long-term international research network and connect with regulators and local authorities to bring research results into practice,” he said.

Development: shift in research priorities and five trends

Dr. Huynh Vu Dat Khoa, Director of AVSE Global’s Energy & Maritime Network and Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, said that after eight editions over 16 years, CIGOS has reflected changes in the construction sector. Earlier editions focused on soil mechanics, structural analysis and numerical methods, while recent years have placed greater emphasis on digital technology and sustainability.

In the context of AI, traditional engineering disciplines and sustainability requirements converging, the conference identifies five main trends shaping future sustainable urban development:

• AI and digital transformation, including machine learning, digital twins, and BIM in design, construction and infrastructure management.
• Sustainable materials and construction technologies, focusing on recycled materials, green concrete and carbon-reduction solutions.
• Resilient and adaptive infrastructure, including flood defense, landslide mitigation and reduced geotechnical risk in response to climate change.
• Energy and environment, including carbon storage, renewable energy development and environmentally friendly works.
• Advanced modeling and computation, applying modern computational methods in engineering.

“These trends are identified as research directions and applications with significant impact, helping shape new approaches in the construction and urban development sector,” Dr. Huynh Vu Dat Khoa said.

Data and program highlights

Architect Phan Dang Son, President of the Vietnam Architects Association, said the world is entering a phase of deep transformation, citing challenges including climate change, rapid urbanization, population pressure, resource depletion, disaster risk and waves of technology. He said CIGOS 2026 is meaningful because it brings together scientists, experts and policymakers from many countries to exchange solutions for sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities.

The Vietnam Architects Association highlighted the conference’s focus areas, including AI and digital transformation, green materials, resilient infrastructure, energy and environment, and advanced modeling and computation to support design, management and forecasting.

From an architectural perspective, sustainable development is described as extending beyond building construction to include safe infrastructure, efficient transportation, high-quality public spaces, affordable housing, ecological protection and cultural identity preservation. The conference’s emphasis on human, cultural and social aspects of urban development is presented as particularly relevant for Vietnam’s rapid urbanization and infrastructure and quality-of-life pressures.

Son said Vietnam faces both opportunities and challenges in redefining urban development models, especially in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and peri-urban areas. He noted that Ho Chi Minh City—identified as facing floods, climate change, traffic and population pressure—could also serve as a testbed for urban solutions.

He added that conference exchanges are expected to help form networks for research collaboration, training, policy advisory and project implementation among universities, research institutes, associations, businesses and city authorities, aimed at sustainable development.

Impact and expected outputs

CIGOS 2026 also noted several highlights: for the first time, Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI) participated as a co-organizer, expanding the conference’s international collaboration network. The event emphasizes AI’s role in geotechnical and construction fields and focuses on connecting research with practice in Vietnam amid rapid urbanization and climate change in Southeast Asia. It also highlights an interdisciplinary approach combining engineering, technology, environment and policy.

The conference features 20 parallel thematic sessions. The selected papers will be published in the Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (Springer) and indexed internationally on Scopus.