GLOBAL ACADEMIC UNION · EST. 2018
IAUOA
International Academic Union of Oceanic Architecture
Oceanic Architecture · Coastal Human Settlements · Sustainable Marine Space
Connecting global scholarship in oceanic architecture, coastal human settlements, sustainable marine space, education, and ecological stewardship.
About the Union
An international academic community for the future of marine space
The International Academic Union of Oceanic Architecture was established on October 15, 2018 by institutions including CTBUH, Qingdao University of Technology, Nihon University, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, University of Kitakyushu, Kunsan National University, and Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. IAUOA builds an open international platform for research, education, and practice in oceanic architecture, coastal human settlements, and sustainable coastal urban development.
Research priorities
Connecting oceanic architecture, coastal settlements, and intelligent construction
Coastal human settlements
Spatial organization, environmental quality, and long-term resilience in coastal and offshore settlement systems.
Oceanic architecture and floating space
Offshore platforms, floating architecture, land-sea interfaces, and emerging marine construction typologies.
Coastal cities and resilient development
Coastal regeneration, disaster adaptation, public space, and the blue economy.
Efficient use of marine resources
Compact, integrated, and low-impact models for marine spatial development and resource use.
Marine ecological conservation
Balancing ecological restoration, environmental carrying capacity, and architectural activity.
Digital tectonics and intelligent construction
Digital design, robotic construction, and intelligent manufacturing for oceanic architecture.
How we work
A long-term framework from academic exchange to practical innovation
Joint education and talent development
Courses, studios, joint programmes, and early-career academic exchange across institutions.
Collaborative research and academic forums
Thematic networks spanning marine space, coastal cities, ecological conservation, and intelligent construction.
Publishing platforms and knowledge sharing
Journals, conference proceedings, case libraries, and research reports that broaden scholarly exchange.
News
Recent academic activities and cooperation
Advancing conferences, joint research, publication platforms, young scholar development, and digital tectonics practice.
International Exchange · 2026.08
IAUOA delegation joins the 10th International Ocean Architecture Design Workshop
From 18 to 24 August 2026, Professor Chibiao Hao led the IAUOA delegation in cross-national collaborative design, academic exchange, and institutional cooperation in Busan.
Conference · 2026.08
SPINCON-2026 programme and schedule announced
The official programme sets out the conference structure, co-chairs, scale, format, and schedule for 8–9 August 2026 across Macao, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Suffolk, and online.
Alliance News · 2026.07
IAUOA official WeChat account launched
IAUOA_Official is now the Union's official channel for institutional updates, research, conferences, publications, and international cooperation.
Conference · 2026.07
SPINCON-2026 preparatory meeting held in Hangzhou
The meeting reviewed the conference framework and international platform cooperation for the August programme.
Publications · 2026.06
Coastal Human Settlements publishes new 2026 research
The journal's 2026 articles address oceanic architecture, coastal vitality, waterfront value, and the changing role of architects in the AI era.
Workshop · 2025.09
International workshop on robotic intelligent construction opens
The programme brings robotic construction, digital design, and intelligent manufacturing into interdisciplinary architectural education.
International Exchange · 2024.12
Delegation joins the sixth iSMART conference and visits universities in Indonesia and Singapore
The delegation attended the conference in Bali and visited ITS, Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore.
Publications · 2024.01
Coastal Human Settlements established
The journal focuses on coastal settlements, engineering technology, ecological restoration, urban planning, and governance.
Conference · 2019.11
2019 IAUOA academic conference
Experts from universities in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea exchanged research on sustainable marine spatial development.
Academic publishing
Coastal Human Settlements
This open-access journal was launched by Open Access Press in the United Kingdom with academic partners including CTBUH and IAUOA. It provides a high-level platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals in coastal human settlements and engineering technology.
Journal website→Membership
An open international network
IAUOA welcomes cooperation and membership enquiries from universities, research institutions, academic organisations, experts, emerging scholars, and graduate students.
Institutional members
Universities, research institutes, academic bodies, and public research platforms.
Academic members
Researchers, teachers, and professionals in oceanic architecture and related fields.
Emerging scholars and students
Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career academics.
Industry and practice partners
Design, engineering, manufacturing, and innovation organisations.
Application process
Submit an expression of interest to the Secretariat
Governance
Clear, collaborative, and academically led
Council
Secretariat
Academic Committee
International Advisory Board
Editorial Board
Regional Centres
Detailed appointments and responsibilities will be updated by the Secretariat.
Founding institutions
A cross-regional foundation for academic cooperation
CTBUHQingdao University of TechnologyNihon UniversityKorea Maritime and Ocean UniversityUniversity of KitakyushuKunsan National UniversityJiangsu University of Science and Technology
Contact
Connect with IAUOA
contact@iauoa.orgInternational Headquarters
IP28 7DE, England
Asia-Pacific Headquarters
No. 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China