9th International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development – 29-31 October 2026
Building on the success of the past eight years, I am delighted to invite you to the 9th International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development (COSVARD 2026). The conference is jointly hosted with CIB Working Commission W107 – Construction in Developing Countries and Task Group TG127 – Social Value in the Built Environment, and will be held in a hybrid format on 29–31 October 2026.
The Smart Villages research program continues to foster global collaboration in this emerging field, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to address the needs of the “40 percent” of the global population who continue to live in rural contexts. At this critical juncture in the global sustainability transition, prioritising this segment is essential to mitigating long-term environmental and developmental challenges. In this context, both CIB W107 and TG127 play a pivotal role in advancing shared capacity within the construction discipline.
With the construction sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable strategies for rural development. As the world progresses towards net-zero targets, climate action must extend beyond urban centres to include rural communities. The concept of “Urban–Rural Share” offers a new paradigm, emphasising localised, value-driven, and nature-based solutions that bridge the urban–rural divide and contribute to a climate-positive future.
COSVARD 2026 provides a global platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing best practices and exploring innovative approaches to smart rural development. We are pleased to announce that the in-person component will be hosted by Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI), Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India. Located in the heart of rural India, GRI’s involvement will enhance the conference’s real-world relevance and impact.
To further advance intellectual engagement and creative exploration, we have also included the Smart Villages Poster Competition 2026, to be held as an integral part of COSVARD 2026.
Key Information
Conference Website & Flyers:
COSVARD 2026 Website
COSVARD 2026 Flyer | Smart Villages Design Poster Flyer
Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI):
- EOIs should include a clear title and a 100-word abstract.
- Submissions must be made via the COMS portal after author registration.
- Submission link: COMS Portal – COSVARD 2026
Publication:
- All papers will undergo a double-blind peer review process.
- Accepted papers will be published in ISSN conference proceedings by the University of Melbourne (eBook and print).
- Proceedings are expected to be indexed in Scopus and published within a Lecture Notes series with a reputable international publisher.
Key dates
- Sign-up, submit a brief abstract with a clear title of the paper/ or design poster:
20 May 202630 May 2026 (extended) - Full paper/design poster submission: 30 June 2026
- Full paper/design poster acceptance: 30 August 2026
- Camera-ready paper/design poster: 30 September 2026
- Registration on or before: 10 September 2026
- Conference date: 29-31 October 2026
We are also grateful to our sponsors, whose support enables us to maintain accessible registration fees, particularly for early-career researchers and emerging scholars.
We warmly invite your participation in COSVARD 2026 and look forward to welcoming you in Dindigul or online.
More information is available on the COSVARD conference website.
