South Africa’s premier gathering for municipal and civil engineering professionals, bringing together expertise, innovation and informed dialogue to shape the future of infrastructure.
Since 1961, the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) has been committed to the pursuit of excellence in all facets of infrastructure, pushing boundaries and driving innovation. Our unwavering dedication extends to the professionals who form the backbone of this industry.
IMESA creates a platform for the exchange of ideas and viewpoints on all aspects of municipal engineering with the aim of expanding the knowledge and best practices in all local government municipalities. This is made up of a community of pioneers, professionals and enthusiasts united by a singular purpose: to reshape the landscape of infrastructure engineering.
IMESA is proud to host it’s 89th Conference & Exhibition and growing its footprint within the industry.
The IMESA Conference & Exhibition is South Africa’s leading platform for municipal and civil engineering professionals engaged in infrastructure planning, management and service delivery. It convenes engineers, municipal decision-makers, academics and industry partners to engage with current challenges, emerging innovations and practical solutions shaping the future of infrastructure.
With a legacy spanning over 88 years, the IMESA Conference & Exhibition has evolved into a cornerstone event on the professional engineer’s calendar, recognised for its technical depth, credible discourse and meaningful industry exchange at both national and international level.
CONFERENCE THEME: Blueprints Reimagined Judiciously
This year’s theme reflects a deliberate and informed rethinking of infrastructure development, balancing innovation with responsibility and progress with sound engineering judgement.
For decades, the IMESA Conference has remained the definitive meeting point for municipal and civil engineering professionals in South Africa, setting the standard for technical excellence, professional development and industry collaboration.
Earn up to 2.5 CPD points through a professionally accredited programme aligned with industry standards and continuous professional development requirements.
Engage with leading engineers, researchers and practitioners through technical papers, keynote addresses and panel discussions focused on real-world infrastructure challenges.
Experience more than just a conference, from the exhibition floor and technical site visits to curated networking sessions and social engagements, designed to maximise value and connection.
IMESA attracts exhibitors, speakers and delegates from across the world, bringing international insight and shared learning while remaining firmly grounded in South Africa’s infrastructure context.
Conference attracts professionals including decision-makers in municipal engineering and related fields. Sponsoring allows your company to directly engage with this niche audience.
Strengthen existing relationships and forge new partnerships. Engage with delegates during sessions and social events.
Exclusive networking opportunities to connect with key decision-makers, potential clients, and collaborators.
Provides an opportunity for prominent brand exposure, gaining visibility among a targeted audience of professionals in the municipal engineering and infrastructure management field.
083 326 3050 / conference@imesa.org.za
Blueprints Reimagined Judiciously implies taking existing plans, standards and long‑established methods of designing public infrastructure and rethinking them with care, evidence and strategic restraint. It’s not about discarding tradition, it’s about evolving it responsibly.
In municipal engineering, this mindset is increasingly relevant as cities face aging infrastructure, climate stressors, growth pressures and budget constraints.
IMESA is calling for Abstracts for consideration for the 89th IMESA Conference & Exhibition that will be held in Durban from 28-30 October 2026.
The title and topic of presentations will be evaluated for innovation, thought, leadership, business value and interest and conformance to the Conference theme.
Only the best will be selected to go to the next phase. The categories for consideration are :-
Encompasses architectural planning, all engineering principles, that include materials science, with regulatory considerations to create safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing spaces for individuals and communities.
Ecological concerns the interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the relationships between living organisms and their habitats.
Environment encompasses the broader context of all ecological systems, including the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence them, including as human activities and their impacts on natural resources and ecosystems.
Social pertains to the human dimension within ecological and environmental contexts, behaviours, policies, and the equitable distribution of resources, they all are aiming to address social justice and the communities well-being alongside ecological sustainability.
Electrical focuses on the design and application of systems that utilize electricity, including power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Electronic, on the other hand, is about the design and development of electronic circuits and systems, including microprocessors, and electronic devices, often involving the manipulation of small-scale electrical currents to perform various functions.
Financial matters are related to the management, investment, and allocation of monetary resources, including one of budgeting, accounting, and financial planning within organizations. Legal encompasses the framework of laws, regulations, and legal principles governing various aspects of human conduct, business transactions, and social interactions, hereby ensuring compliance and justice within a given jurisdiction.
Regulatory pertains to the establishment and enforcement of rules, standards, and policies by governmental or authoritative bodies to oversee and control specific industries, activities, or behaviours, aiming to safeguard public interest, safety, and welfare.
Transportation of people and goods from one place to another using various modes such as roads, railways, airways, and waterways, encompassing infrastructure, vehicles, and logistics systems.
Roads are specifically dedicated pathways for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, designed to facilitate safe and efficient transportation within urban and rural areas, while stormwater management involves the planning and implementation of systems to control and mitigate the impact of rainfall runoff, preventing flooding and erosion in urban environments.
Encompass the provision of clean and safe water for human consumption, hygiene and domestic use, as well as the management of wastewater and sewage to prevent environmental contamination and to promote all public health.
This field involves infrastructure development, treatment processes, and public policy initiatives to ensure a universal access to adequate water and sanitation services, addressing critical global health and environmental challenges.