Technology and the City: Foundation for a Smart Nation
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Technology and the City: Foundation for a Smart Nation Lacking land and natural resources, the Singapore government has consistently turned to information and communications technologies (ICT) and innovation to STUDIES URBAN SYSTEMS transform Singapore into a highly liveable city. Starting with early computerisation efforts in the 1960s, the government launched a succession of national ICT masterplans and e-government masterplans. These guided the use of ICT to enhance Singapore’s international competitiveness, upgrade the workforce, attract knowledge-intensive activities, and improve public sector service standards. The application of ICT has also helped to shape the physical environment and development of the city-state, enhancing integrated planning and development in Singapore. Various ICT systems, data hubs and digital tools have been developed to support for a Smart Nation Foundation and the City: Technology the work of the public sector in areas ranging from urban Technology planning, land management, housing, transport, to municipal services. With the launch of the Smart Nation vision in 2014, many initiatives have been carried out by the public sector in and the City: collaboration with various stakeholders—the private sector, civil society and citizens. The digital revolution continues to Foundation for influence the way we live, work, play and learn. This Urban Systems Study charts Singapore’s experience in developing and leveraging ICT in its development journey over the past a Smart Nation five decades. “ Our Smart Nation initiative is actually not about technology. It is really about how we apply technology to enhance the quality of life for our citizens, to create greater opportunities for everyone to prosper and thrive in this new world where economic restructuring is occurring at an unprecedented pace and, to also strengthen community cohesion. In other words, it is about people, quality of life, opportunities and communities. Technology is only a means to an end.” Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative 9 789811 177965 Technology and the City: Foundation for a Smart Nation Urban Systems Studies (USS) Books Financing a City: Developing Foundations for Sustainable Growth Land Acquisition and Resettlement: Securing Resources for Development Built by Singapore: From Slums to a Sustainable Living Environment Planning for Tourism: Creating a Vibrant Singapore Cleaning a Nation: Cultivating a Healthy Living Environment Urban Redevelopment: From Urban Squalor to Global City Port and the City: Balancing Growth and Liveability The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme: Water as an Environmental Asset Working with Markets: Harnessing Market Forces and Private Sector for Development A City of Culture: Planning for the Arts Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City: A New Paradigm in Collaboration Land Framework of Singapore: Building a Sound Land Administration and Management System Integrating Land Use & Mobility: Supporting Sustainable Growth Engaging Well, Forging Bonds: The Community as Stakeholders in Urban Development Food and The City: Overcoming Challenges for Food Security Technology For product information, visit https://www.clc.gov.sg/research-publications/publications/urban-systems-studies and the City: Singapore Urban Systems Studies Booklet Series Water: From Scarce Resource to National Asset Foundation for Transport: Overcoming Constraints, Sustaining Mobility a Smart Nation Industrial Infrastructure: Growing in Tandem with the Economy Sustainable Environment: Balancing Growth with the Environment Housing: Turning Squatters into Stakeholders Biodiversity: Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore For product information, visit https://www.clc.gov.sg/research-publications/publications/urban-systems-studies Liveable and Sustainable Cities: A Framework For product information, visit https://www.clc.gov.sg/research-publications/framework First Edition, Singapore, 2018 Editorial Team Writers: Belinda Tan, Manager, Centre for Liveable Cities CONTENTS Zhou Yimin, Senior Assistant Director, Centre for Liveable Cities Research Advisor: Dr Tan Chin Nam, Advisory Board Member, Centre for Liveable Cities Project Leader: Dr Limin Hee, Director, Centre for Liveable Cities Foreword vii Editor: Jean Chia, Senior Assistant Director (Adjunct), Centre for Liveable Cities Preface ix Production Supervisor: Eunice Rachel Low, Adjunct, Centre for Liveable Cities Acknowledgements xi The Singapore Liveability Framework xii © 2018 Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), Singapore. All rights reserved. Overview Introduction: Enabling Development through Digitisation 1 CLC is a division of • ICT as a Key Enabler for Innovation 2 • Moving towards A Smart Nation 4 Set up in 2008 by the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of the Environment Chapter 1 Riding the First Wave of Computerisation 5 and Water Resources, the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has as its mission “to distil, create • Computerising the Nation 6 and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities”. The CLC’s work spans four main areas—Research, Capability Development, Knowledge Platforms, and Advisory. Through these – Computerising the Civil Service 9 activities, the CLC hopes to provide urban leaders and practitioners with the knowledge and – Promoting an Export-Oriented Software Industry 10 support needed to make our cities better. For more information, please visit www.clc.gov.sg. – Building a Local Core of IT Professionals 11 Research Advisors for the CLC’s Urban Systems Studies are experts who have generously • Key Enabler to Rejuvenate the Economy 13 provided their guidance and advice. However, they are not responsible for any remaining – Data Hubs for Land, People, Business 15 errors or omissions, which remain the responsibility of the author(s) and the CLC. Tradenet, Solidifying Singapore’s Position as a Global Trade Hub 16 For product information, please contact Chapter 2 Unlocking Access to Greater Connectivity 19 CLC Publications • Transforming into an Intelligent Island 20 +65 66459576 Centre for Liveable Cities • Paving the Information Superhighway 21 45 Maxwell Road #07-01 – Start of a Nationwide Information Infrastructure 21 The URA Centre Arrival of the Internet 24 Singapore 069118 [email protected] – Nationwide Broadband Network 26 – Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure 28 ISBN 978-981-11-7796-5 (print) Making Space for Future Infocomm Infrastructure 30 ISBN 978-981-11-7797-2 (e-version) • Planning for ICT in the Dotcom Era 32 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by – Forming the Infocomm Development Authority 32 any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior – Evolving National ICT Masterplans 33 written permission of the publisher. – Evolving Approach to e-Government 38 Every effort has been made to trace all sources and copyright holders of news articles, figures and information in this book before publication. If any have been inadvertently overlooked, CLC will ensure that full credit is given – Nurturing an IT-Literate Society 41 at the earliest opportunity. Chapter 3 Harnessing Technology for Development 43 Cover photo: • Data-Driven Urban Planning 44 The transformation of Singapore’s information and communications technology landscape might not seem – First Nationwide Land Use Database 44 obvious to some, but their benefits are definitely tangible to many. – First Nationwide Enterprise GIS System 47 Image courtesy of Yu Lihui – Land Use Planning in the Big Data Era 49 • Managing Land with Geospatial Data 53 – Consolidating and Sharing Land Data 53 FOREWORD – Collaborative Space for Geospatial Services 57 In just over five decades, Singapore has transformed itself from an Singapore’s Digital Twin 60 entrepot to a vibrant global hub and endearing home for people to live, • Singapore’s Heartland of Tomorrow 62 work and play. To continue to build a competitive economy, improve – Smart Planning 63 our quality of life and maintain a sustainable environment amid the – Smart Estate and Environment 64 constraints of land and an ageing population, it is crucial that we innovate – Smart Living and Community 65 as a city and a nation. We have a tremendous opportunity in the digital • Moving a City with Intelligent Transport Systems 67 revolution to overcome these limitations by using digital technology – Streamlining Traffic Flows 67 to improve lives, create economic opportunity, and build social bonds. – Monitoring and Sharing Information on Real-Time Traffic 68 The concept of a smart city is especially pertinent to Singapore and we – Managing Transport Demand and Revenue Collection 71 have a slight advantage in this area. First, we are one of the most well- Chapter 4 Dawn of the Smart Nation Vision 73 connected cities in the world, in terms of fixed broadband and mobile • Becoming the World’s First Smart Nation 74 coverage. Second, we have a population with a very strong background – Galvanising the Country for Smart Nation 77 in science and technology. Third, we have a society and leadership that – Developing Horizontal Enablers 78 are aligned both in terms of infrastructure and workforce to capitalise on • Seizing Opportunities in Smart Nation 82 technological advancements. – Reorganising the Regulatory Landscape 83 – Building a Hive of Digital Solutions 84 Singapore has long tapped technology advancements to move ahead. – Establishing