An initiative proposed as a collaboration between Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) has yielded results. On 8 October 2025, the two organisations met at MUT to launch the collaboration, which focuses on bringing together students, academics, and infrastructure professionals in discussions on the intersections of heritage, education, and resilient infrastructure planning. Zama Hlubi, Job Placement Officer at the Department of Co-Operative Education, said the event, which will be held on an annual basis, is structured to attract students from the Faculty of Engineering, specifically those interested in built environments. The initiative is geared towards students in built environment disciplines, who are uniquely positioned to contribute to South Africa’s infrastructure transformation agenda.
The theme of the event was: spatial justice and resilient futures: integrating heritage, education, and infrastructure planning.” The theme reflects the academic imperative to approach infrastructure planning holistically, considering historical context, spatial equity, and future climate resilience as integral to development.
Hlubi said the collaboration offers a critical platform to prepare the next generation of built environment professionals to work at the node of heritage, education, and innovation. “As we strive to build smart, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure, the knowledge and vision of young planners, architects, and engineers will be essential,” said Hlubi.