Research

Our research aims to improve the education and prospects of the next generation of Assamese built environment professionals and empower rural villages in Assam to better define and control their own economic and social development.

COSVARD 2026 (Hybrid Mode)

The 9th International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development (Jointly hosted with CIB Working Commission, W107 (Construction in Developing Countries) and Task Group, TG127 (Social Value in Built Environment)
29-31 October 2026
Local Partner: Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI) Deemed University, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India

~ Conference Schedule COSVARD 2026 will be available here ~

Providing a global platform for researchers, policymakers and industry professionals to share relevant knowledge and examples from practice associated with new forms of rural development, targeting the 40% rural population in the globe and contributing towards a climate-positive planet. 

Harmonising one-planet living through "Urban-Rural Share"

Read More

Global Seminar Series on Construction in Developing Countries  (GSSCD) in affiliation with CIB Working Commission W107 (Construction in Developing Countries)

The Monthly Global Seminar Series on Construction in Developing Countries (GSSCD) convenes leading scholars, early-career researchers and practitioners to co-create knowledge, exchange best practices, and advance climate-positive transformation in the construction sector, drawing on the Smart Villages research at the University of Melbourne. With a  focus on empowering the "40 PERCENT" rural population - predominantly concentrated in Developing Countries - the series contributes to the transformative vision for:

~ A Sustainable Planet Initiative (SPI) ~

Read More

Featured content