2026 IMESA CONFERENCE
Reviews
IMESA ANNUAL CONFERENCES
IMESA’s annual conference is a pivotal gathering for municipal engineering professionals looking to deepen their expertise and expand their networks. This essential event provides a comprehensive platform where attendees can engage with the latest research and industry trends through insightful paper presentations. Additionally, the conference includes product exhibitions that showcase innovative engineering solutions, offering firsthand exposure to cutting-edge technologies. Beyond educational sessions, the conference fosters a collaborative environment where engineers, municipal representatives, and industry experts come together to exchange ideas and strategies. This interaction not only enriches professional knowledge but also encourage meaningful connections that can lead to impactful collaborations. By participating in IMESA’s conference, attendees stay informed about emerging trends and actively contribute to advancing municipal engineering practices. Whether through discussions, networking, or exposure to new technologies, participants gain valuable insights and practical strategies to address complex challenges in the field
89th IMESA Conference & Exhibition
CONFERENCE THEME: “Blueprints Reimagined Judiciously”
The IMESA conference is an important event for all professional engineers and municipal officials who are involved in infrastructure management and service delivery. It brings together national and international delegates to share knowledge with their peers, to receive information on the latest developments and to find innovative solutions to challenges faced by all our municipalities.
Click the 2026 IMESA Conference logo for details of this year’s event.
2026 IMESA CONFERENCE PAPERS
| Paper # | Title | Presenter/Author(s) | Click to Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Leading calm amidst chaos: are you the Pressure cooker that is about to explode? | Christa Liebenberg | Download |
| Paper 2 | Cost-effective flood forecasting for municipal Disaster management systems | Shawn Johnson | Download |
| Paper 3 | Rethinking design compliance: lessons learned To enhance flood resilience and safety | E G Braune, M B Wiese, I F Malherbe | Download |
| Paper 4 | From strategy to implementation: enabling Measurable performance in the ethekwini Water & sanitation turnaround strategy | T Hardon and R Canny | Download |
| Paper 5 | Blueprints reimagined: an integrated water Security strategy for a water-stressed Municipality – the prince albert town Case study | J Hough and T Kleynhans | Download |
| Paper 6 | Digital Enablement For Municipal Resilience: Moving Beyond Fragmented Initiatives To Practical, Phased Progress | S Jugwanth and Y Harrielall | Download |
| Paper 7 | Engineering service response to future Densification through backyard dwellers, Informal settlements and small-scale Rental units | Johan Basson | Download |
| Paper 8 | Experimental evaluation of fly ash and steel Dust for eco-friendly mortars in low-cost Housing in south africa | V Mudau, M Smit | Download |
| Paper 9 | Recent geometric design research: Extracting actionable practices for municipal Road upgrades | Sihle Ngema | Download |
| Paper 10 | Renavigating The Water Services Amendment Bill: Implications, Risks And Strategic Responses | Mike Greatwood | Download |
| Paper 11 | The knowledgeable client: organisational Professionalisation as a strategic enabler of Municipal infrastructure delivery, public safety and technical governance | G Vivier and E Hermelin | Download |
| Paper 12 | The public procurement act has been declared Invalid – what does this mean for a judiciously Reimagined blueprint for effective procurement? | Chris Wilcock | Download |
| Paper 13 | A Discussion On The Application Of Recycled Concrete Aggregate In The Built Environment In South Africa | R Bamisaye, E Goosen and A Babafemi | Download |
| Paper 14 | Optimized flexible linings for a more Sustainable riverbank protection comparing To the traditional riprap | B Jacob, T Saville, D Govender & A Rahman | Download |
| Paper 15 | Smart skies, resilient water: uavs in Infrastructure management, the role of drone Technology in advancing water and sanitation Management | L Balakisten and S Rajah | Download |
| Paper 16 | Rethinking synthetic design storms: evaluating Clipped scs-sa and bimodal rainfall events for Small urban catchments in ethekwini | J Spooner, I Loots and J Smithers | Download |
| Paper 17 | Blueprints reimagined: preserving municipal Landfill airspace as a strategic infrastructure Asset – why the cheapest tender often creates. The most expensive landfill | Leon Grobbelaar | Download |
| St 1 | Low-cost upgrades for activated Sludge plants | J Biddle & M Masala | Download |
| St 2 | Reimagining wastewater for direct potable Reuse – a judicious ppp approach | J Holder & S Masha | Download |
| St 3 | Reimagining urban blueprints: A nexus-driven framework for hybrid water Supply systems in water and energy-sensitive Settlements | G Ochieng, N Mkolo, O Olufayo | Download |






