Singapore is smarter than you may think
erifili.dionisopoulos, Maria Kourmoulaki, Ilias Stathopoulos
During our research for the top smart, innovative and sustainable cities for our MA Cultural Marketing and Communication Course with our tutor, Mrs. Betty Tsakarestou, we decided to investigate why Singapore was awarded as Smart City of 2018 at Smart City Expo World Congress, following a second placement in 2017 awards.
In 2017, Singapore ranked as world’s №2 Smart City thanks to its developed business ecosystem, successful strategic urban planning, quality of internet services and renewable forms of energy.
In 2018, Singapore conquered the first place, thanks to the addition of smart mobility solutions like stationless shared bicycles and electric car sharing service. Authorities are convinced that this shift from the model of personal car ownership will lead to the creation of more green areas and the replacement of unnecessary parking spaces. In the near future, the first autonomous vehicles will bring the biggest change in the intelligent transport systems.
Furthermore, when it comes to safety, Singapore remains one of the safest cities in the world, having the lowest crime rate on the planet, which is ensured by the installation of numerous police surveillance cameras. Singapore remains also relatively drug-free, while recidivism rate remain low and stable. Other improvements concern the decrease of residential fire incidents, speeding violations and non-emergency medical calls.
Moreover, according to Singapore’s Health Minister, the vision is a healthy nation with longevity and high quality of life. Their strategies are focusing on helping and supporting Singaporeans to lead healthier lives (increased physical activity and healthier eating choices, smoking cessation, vaccinations etc.). Furthermore, development of prime healthcare facilities in close proximity to the communities will decrease the need to transport and therefore will enhance sustainability.
Singapore has also launched a series of key strategic national projects promoting the smart administrative services, such as the National Digital Identity (NDI), E-Payments, Smart Nation Sensor Platform (SNSP) and Moments of Life (MOL).
With its convenient location, Singapore has become a worldwide hub for technology and startups and is now home to one of the most developed startup eco-system in Asia. The startup companies cover a wide range of industries and businesses. The success of this innovative and smart startup ecosystems is based on the full support of the government and universities as well as to the synergies of the public and private sector.
Finally, despite being the most expensive city to live, Singapore continues to smash visitations records, while being the best city for expats and especially millennials who seek to build a career and enjoy a great quality of life.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Authorities of Singapore are aware of the challenges that will face in the near future, such as population ageing, economic changes, the social gap, the climate change and the need to develop new technologies and innovative approaches to deal with these challenges.
In this context, an agenda has been set up with goals to be achieved by 2030, so that Singapore can remain sustainable and resilient.
The basic goal is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in order to create the right conditions for the development of an equal opportunities society, where all citizens can work a productive and dignified life and look to the future with optimism.
Therefore, low-paid workers are supported through training programs that aim to improve their skills, increase their productivity, employability and income. Lifelong learning and the re-skilling of citizens are the bases of the initiative. Government grants and scholarships are provided to everyone, so that all citizens, irrespectively of income and age, have equal opportunities to access quality education and, by extension, employability and a good standard of living. Home ownership is also subsidized, both for families and individuals, since it is considered to be a key pillar of a stable society, while low-cost public rental housing is provided to those who are unable to afford their own homes.
In the health field, the goal is to give access to all citizens in a high quality healthcare system, as well to improve the services already provided. Medical exams deemed necessary to maintain the health of citizens and prevent deaths from preventable diseases are subsidized by the state. In addition, provision of public aid to the elderly (subsidies for assistive devices and home care consumables) is emphasized in order to promote a heathy and active ageing.
Gender Equality is also considered a high priority issue. Design, planning, and delivery of policies and legislation regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment, elimination of violence and discrimination against women, promotion of shared household and family responsibility, as well as women’s advancement in leadership and decision making positions are some of the goals that Singapore has set for the future.
In order to ensure sustained and progressive growth, Singapore has a strategic plan towards building resilient infrastructure (good transport connectivity, extensive public transport network, airport expansion, improved access to info-communications technologies etc.), promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. Partnerships between academic and industrial sectors have been established, while public investment in research and innovation is steadily growing, complementing the private support to start-ups and small and medium — sized enterprises.
Singapore is an active participant in the battle against climate change. In this context, a Climate Action Plan was introduced. It includes measures to mitigate carbon emissions like improvement of energy efficiency, mitigation of carbon emissions from power generation, deployment of cutting-edge low-carbon technologies etc. In addition, development of a green public transport system and green buildings, introduction of a carbon tax, promotion of climate change public awareness and action, and development of international partnerships for exchanging experiences and practices in areas regarding sustainable development, urban planning, water and transport management are some of the strategies that Singapore has set in action.
A long-term, forward-looking approach that includes tough but necessary decisions has been the cornerstone of Singapore’s sustainable development. Singapore is not afraid to experiment, to envision, to innovate, to succeed or fail. And that’s why Singapore is and probably will remain one of the leading smart and sustainable cities in the world.
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