Urban Solutions
Overview
City of Tomorrow
3rd place
globally in Network Readiness Index 2020 for digital transformation performance1
$150 million
invested in Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) R&D programme2Ranked
No. 1
in the world in McKinsey’s Urban Transportation report3
1st
in Asia to have a botanic garden inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site4Expected to build
60,000
electric vehicle charging points by 20305Barely 50 years ago, the majority of Singapore outside the urban area consisted of mudflats and swamps. Most of the population lived in squalid, crowded settlements with no reliable water supply. Since then, Singapore has undergone a complete transformation and now attracts a steady stream of city planners from countries and regions such as China, Southeast Asia, South America and Africa who come to learn about urban governance and planning for the city of tomorrow.
Why Hold Urban Solutions Events in Singapore?
Award-Winning Example of Urban Planning
From functional buildings to address our rapid population and economic growth, today, many of Singapore’s newer buildings have evolved to factor environmental impact into their overall design. Some such as the National University of Singapore’s SDE4 building features net zero carbon emissions, while others such as Oasia Hotel Downtown are greening the environment through the use of extensive sky gardens, as well as green facades.
One of the consequences of having limited land is our heavy reliance on external food sources. To increase our self-sufficiency, we have started to develop urban farming in Singapore, using innovative solutions such as farming on rooftops and under viaducts, climate controlled indoor farming, and multi-tier aquaculture farming.
To support our rising population, we have also had to develop a fast and efficient public transport system. Looking ahead, Singapore is planning to boost its already world-class transport system with the Land Transport Master Plan 2040. By 2040, commuters in Singapore can expect to reach their nearest neighbourhood centre within 20 minutes, and the city within 45 minutes. The plan also provisions for barrier-free journeys to make public transportation accessible for all, as well as more urban mobility solutions including electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and cycling networks.
In addition, the government has set aside $150 million for the Cities of Tomorrow R&D programme (CoT). This programme, which was launched in 2018, charts critical research areas required to build a future city – such as advanced construction (additive manufacturing, 3D printing for buildings), resilient infrastructure and sustainability (how buildings and spaces affect humans).
A Model of Sustainability
With our scarce natural resources, Singapore has had to deploy innovative solutions in energy and water management.
Cleaner Energy
Even as Singapore continues to develop into one of the world’s most advanced cities, we are keenly aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint.
Currently, 95% of all our electricity is generated using natural gas – the cleanest form of fossil fuel. At the same time, we are also heavily involved in the research and development of alternative and more sustainable electricity generation methods such as solar power, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen fuel cells.
An example of our clean energy efforts can be seen through our pilot project to transform the resort island of Sentosa to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Among the solutions that will be employed include smart infrastructure that can detect and analyse energy usage patterns.
These changes are in line with the shift in global trends where consumers actively support and seek out greener options, and is something that all delegates and trade visitors to Singapore can experience should they choose to use our world-class public transportation system to get to their events.Water Management
With no natural aquifers or lakes and limited land to collect and store rainwater, Singapore has made water conservation and resilience its top priorities. Today, Singapore is internationally recognised as a model city for integrated water management and an emerging Global Hydrohub – a leading centre for business opportunities and expertise in water technologies.
To meet our water supply needs, we rely on a mix of sources including local catchment (two-thirds of our land surface), imported water, water desalination and water reclamation.
Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant
In February 2021, Singapore opened its fourth desalination plant. It is the country’s first large-scale dual-mode desalination plant that can treat both seawater as well as freshwater, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Both sources of water are directly linked to the plant’s dual flow chamber through a 1.8km-long pipeline.NEWater
NEWater is Singapore’s success story of reclaiming water using advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection. NEWater plants currently supply 40% of the nation’s water needs. This is expected to increase to 55% in the future.
Homeland Security
As Singapore quickly develops to become one of the most connected cities in the world, it recognises the need for updated security protocols that address the new digital and open-border landscape.
Within our borders, Singapore is expanding its use of cameras and technology to better support law enforcers and first responders. These include the use of sensors, video analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation and drones to ease manpower shortages and improve safety within the community.
Cognizant of growing counter-terrorism threats, Singapore has adopted a multi-agency approach that involves the partnership of law enforcement and security agencies, both in Singapore and overseas. Through the implementation of an SGSecure app, we have also empowered ordinary citizens to be involved in the fight against terrorism by reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.
In this current internet age, criminal activities have evolved into new shapes and forms. For example, in place of physical robberies, we now face the added threat of intellectual property (IP) theft. To address such threats, we have come up with programmes and apps such as SG IP Fast Track and IPOS Go, which allow enterprises to easily obtain protection for patents, trademarks and registered designs.
Yet another area of homeland security that has recently come into the spotlight is that of pandemic control. Through the more recent examples of SARS and COVID-19, Singapore has demonstrated its ability to respond well by quickly deploying technologies such as tracing systems and temperature monitoring, as well as leveraging IP to locally produce much-needed products such as testing kits and disinfecting coating materials.
Indeed, the speed in which new threats are developing and evolving is calling for a much more pro-active rather than reactive stance, and this is certainly an area where Singapore can contribute – by hosting dialogues and events that are related to homeland security.
Get Inspired
Singapore has hosted a number of Urban Solutions business events, giving it the necessary expertise and experience to support your event.
CleanEnviro Summit Singapore
The global networking platform for thought leaders, senior government officials and policy makers, regulators and industry captains. At CESS, industry and government leaders can identify, develop and share practical, replicable and scalable solutions to address environmental challenges in the context of waste-water-energy nexus in growing cities.
International Built Environment Week
Specially curated conference and tradeshow showcasing the latest innovations in sustainability, built environment technologies, smart facilities management and digitalisation. Asia Pacific’s most comprehensive event on the built environment attracts a global community looking to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore business opportunities.
Milipol Asia-Pacific
The region’s leading international event for homeland security. The event attracts more than 7,000 visitors, 300 delegates and 301 exhibitors hailing from 79 countries.
Singapore International Energy Week
Asia’s premier platform for the discussion of energy issues impacting the region. Here, energy professionals, policymakers and commentators gather to share best practices and solutions within the global energy space.
Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition
Key platform for all international urban mobility stakeholders to redefine the urban mobility landscape of tomorrow. Over the last three editions, more than 10,000 urban mobility thought leaders from around the world have come to network, share ideas and collaborate. The event features technical visits to exclusive sites only accessible by delegates.
Singapore International Water Week
The global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions addressing contemporary challenges. The event gathers global water leaders and practitioners from both public and private sectors to engage in discussion and debate, network with key industry players, showcase leading-edge technologies and best practices, and identify practical methodologies to address the world’s most pressing water issues.
World Cities Summit
Exclusive platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships. Since its inauguration in 2008, the biennial event has been attended by over 250 global cities, and is supported by government, business, international organisations and academia.