Infrastructures development triggers prosperity

DAR ES SALAAM: BUILDING infrastructure better is no longer an option but rather a necessity for fostering sustainable development, enhancing economic growth, improving quality of life and ensuring resilience against future challenges.

Infrastructure development today is not just about erecting physical structures; it’s about crafting systems that support economic prosperity, environmental responsibility, social equity and technological progress.

This vision requires forward-thinking strategies, collaboration across sectors and a commitment to excellence in how infrastructure is conceptualised, financed, delivered and sustained.

The built environment is facing unprecedented transformations, driven by rapid technological innovation, escalating environmental threats and evolving socioeconomic conditions.

Against this backdrop, the 11th International Conference on Development and Investment in Infrastructure (DII 2025) was held in Dar es Salaam from August 6 to 8, bringing together academicians, researchers, practitioners and stakeholders from across 15 African countries under the theme: “Building Infrastructure Better: Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Decentralisation.”

This year’s conference examined how these three interconnected pillars are reshaping the landscape of infrastructure development and management, establishing a new paradigm for the continent’s future.

Speaking during the official opening, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Academic, Research and Consultancy at Ardhi University, Professor John Lupala, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, described the conference as “not just a platform for academic debate, but a call to action.”

“We must use this opportunity to propose practical policies, build partnerships and respond to the unique challenges and opportunities facing our continent,” Prof Lupala said.

He said that there is a need for urgency in reimagining infrastructure in Africa, especially given the immense pressure on housing, energy, water, sanitation and transportation systems due to rapid urbanisation.

“We must build with purpose. Smart infrastructure is not only about technology but about inclusion, resilience and sustainability. We must act now and we must act together,” he stressed.

Prof Lupala asked universities and higher learning institutions to lead efforts in urban planning, land use management and environmental research, advocating for collaborative engagement with governments and communities to ensure infrastructure addresses both innovation and impact.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the DII 2025 Scientific and Programme Committee and Director of the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Innocent Musonda, highlighted the increasing role of digital technologies in reshaping urban development.

“Digital tools are transforming how we manage infrastructure, from smart water systems to safety monitoring in construction,” said Prof Musonda, citing innovations from South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania.

He further stressed the need to integrate climate resilience, gender equity and social justice into infrastructure planning.

“Innovative digital tools and equitable planning are vital to withstand future challenges,” he said.

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“Through knowledge exchange, we can drive inclusive and sustainable development across Africa,” he added, encouraging delegates to actively engage in technical sessions, exhibitions and collaborative forums.

Recognising the critical link between transport infrastructure and urban development, Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) is taking a forward-looking approach that aligns mobility solutions with land use planning.

The agency believes that modern transport systems should not operate in isolation but should actively shape how cities grow and function.

The Acting Transport and Spatial Planning Manager at the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART), Eng Mohamed Kuganda, said, “our goal is not just to move people, but to shape the city. We are working to ensure that transport and spatial planning go hand in hand by investing in infrastructure that promotes accessibility, reduces congestion and supports economic activities around our transit corridors.”

He added that Transit Oriented Development (TOD) enables the creation of vibrant urban centres where people can live, work and access services more efficiently, reducing the need for long commutes.

To address current pressures, DART adopted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach, attracting international investors to raise service standards.

“Through this initiative, a new international operator will deploy a total of 305 buses, 175 under Phase One, with 107 expected to begin operations by September this year. These buses are designed to improve comfort, reliability, and efficiency while reducing congestion on key corridors,” Eng Kuganda explained.

The DII 2025 theme strongly underscores the need to rethink infrastructure development in the face of climate imperatives, technological disruption and growing demands for equitable access.

Digitalisation is accelerating the adoption of cuttingedge tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and even mixed reality, all of which are reshaping how construction projects are designed, implemented and monitored.

In parallel, decarbonisation has emerged as a critical goal, as the construction sector accounts for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions.

Strategies now focus on low-carbon construction materials, net-zero energy buildings, circular economy models, renewable energy integration and efficient waste management practices that align with global climate goals.

Decentralisation, on the other hand, is enabling a move away from traditional centralised infrastructure models towards more resilient, distributed and community-driven solutions.

These include the use of microgrids for local energy needs, modular construction methods for flexible development, adaptive reuse of existing structures and participatory planning processes that empower local communities to shape their built environments.

By addressing technical, economic and social dimensions, these three pillars collectively support infrastructure that is not only smarter and more efficient, but also equitable, inclusive and sustainable.

This year’s conference welcomed an array of academic papers, case studies and policy recommendations that examined a range of interconnected topics.

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These included innovations in smart infrastructure and cities, resilience in urban systems, gender empowerment in the construction sector, construction cost management, ethical issues and health and safety practices.

Researchers also presented findings on lean construction, construction ergonomics, climate change adaptation, investment and finance, water resource management and supply chain dynamics.

Discussions further addressed the importance of integrating circular economy principles into construction practices and explored the potential of renewable energy technologies in shaping greener infrastructure models.

Throughout the sessions, the importance of aligning infrastructure development with social justice and reducing inequality was a recurring theme, particularly in the context of Africa’s fastgrowing urban population.