Allan Cain is one of the three founding directors of Development Workshop and a Visiting Professor at the School for International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa. He is an architect, specialist in project management, participatory planning, sustainable urban development and water & sanitation. He has lived and worked in Africa for the last 35 years and has acquired a deep understanding of the local environment and development initiatives. He has a degree in Environmental Studies, did his professional studies at the Architectural Association (London, UK) and further specialist studies at Harvard University and Bolder, Colorado. Allan Cain was awarded an Order of Canada in 2004 for his work in international development and contribution to peacebuilding in Angola. He has also won several other awards for his work in international development. He has over 35 years of professional experience in developing countries. He has worked as a consultant and lead research projects for the World Bank, UN Habitat the European Union and other international organisations. He is the DW project leader on the International Development Research Centre supported programme on Climate Change, Flooding and Water-Supply in Angola's Coastal Cities. He has led projects, beneficiary and affordability assessments; indicator mapping; social and environmental impact assessments; and policy and advocacy programs.

Allan has lectured at universities in Canada, China, Angola, Norway, USA, South Africa and UK. He is a member of the advisory board for Environment & Urbanism Journal of the International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED) and on the boards of several other development institutions. His articles and papers have been published widely in international journals.

Photo: Niger, 1979.