GDI 2025 Conference in December
The GDI 2025 conference, hosted by the School of Future Environments at AUT, will explore topics ranging from sustainable construction and advanced structural systems to smart cities and digital transformation.
The conference will be in-person with opportunities for recorded presentations, hosted at AUT’s city campus from 1 – 3 December.
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, and civil engineer, Professor Suzanne Wilkinson, says the conference will advance knowledge as it brings the best of academic enquiry together with industry experience.
“AUT is known for its hands on approach to knowledge, getting our students working directly with industry on live projects. GDI 2025 offers a chance for researchers, industry leaders and practitioners to come together to share and build knowledge.”
In addition to academic presentations at GDI 2025, the conference will feature an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
The conference is presented in partnership with BECA, bringing industry experts, professionals, and key stakeholders from across the built environment sector.
Thomas Hyde, Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer at BECA and keynote speaker of the conference, says “We are at an inflection point as the rapid advance of technology allows us to contemplate solving the wicked problems presented to us, whether they are a consequence of the impacts of climate change, the mounting global infrastructure deficit, or systemic barriers to productivity. I’m really looking forward to exploring the collaboration of industry, academia, and government to move NZ forward.”
GDI2025 will focus on the three pillars shaping the built world’s future:
- Green – sustainable and climate-resilient urban design
- Digital – AI, data, automation, digital twins, and smart systems
- Intelligent – responsive, inclusive, and human-centric design for tomorrow’s communities
The call for industry presentation submissions is now open, inviting industry experts to consider presenting at this event. Registrations to attend in person or to participate via the recorded presentation category are now live.
Ali and Amir Ghaffarianhoseini, professors of architecture and chairs of GDI 2025, believe this will be a major event for New Zealand’s built environment sector. With more than 200 full papers received, in addition to the upcoming industry presentations, keynote, and plenary speakers, the conference will provide an excellent platform for future-focused discussions on how the future of buildings, urban areas, and cities can become greener, smarter, and more digitally driven.