Smart way to build a Smart Nation

What defines a smart city?

Turns out, there are no hard and fast rules of definition.

As cities around the world turn to technology to improve services for their citizens, no two develop along exactly the same lines. In some, environmental sustainability and open data are top priorities; in others, a comprehensive e-payment system or fast, widespread connectivity may be what people value most.

“In Singapore, were we really expected to put all these together, and take a ‘pau ka liau’ [a comprehensive colloquial term for ‘all-inclusive’] approach to technology and smart cities?” asked Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) Chief Executive Ms Jacqueline Poh.

Ms Poh was addressing members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham) at the organisation’s Balestier Series, held on 31 May 2017. First launched in 2014, the Balestier Series features talks from eminent Singaporeans on significant issues.

Ms Poh’s answer to her own question? In a word, no.

“It’s easy to think that the only way to satisfy all the stakeholders is to toss in a little bit of everything into the mix,” she said.

“But maybe that’s not quite us. We should take what is relevant to us and ditch what is not.”

One area that Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative has chosen to focus on is intelligent transportation, said Ms Poh.

To tackle congestion, the government is looking to build a multimodal transport system, with the use of autonomous vehicles or pods to help people travel the last mile to their destinations.

About 12 percent of Singapore’s land is currently covered by roads — a relatively high figure compared to the US, added Ms Poh.

But with an intelligent transport system, Singapore’s landscape could look very different in the future.

“Singapore should be a city designed for its denizens, and not necessarily for cars,” remarked Ms Poh. “A lot of the logistics, train transportation and autonomous transportation pods could be moved underground.”

In addition to congestion, Singapore also needs to develop innovative methods of coping with the healthcare needs of an ageing population. One priority is to find ways to allow the elderly to age gracefully at home rather than in a hospital, said Ms Poh.

This will involve the implementation of telehealth initiatives such as video consultations, tele-rehabilitation and vital sign monitoring at home, she shared.

“All of this is coming so that people on this island need not visit a hospital.”

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