A solid base for digital urbanization: Virtual Singapore
Virtual Singapore is a dynamic 3D city model and collaborative data platform, including unprecedentedly accurate 3D information of Singapore.
The five-year project is trying to integrate different data sources collected from various public agencies, and to describe the city with real-time data. When completed, it will enable various users to develop sophisticated tools and applications for innovative concepts and services, planning and decision-making, and research on technologies.
From my perspective, Virtual Singapore is more than a normal digital 3D map, but a solid base for the country’s future ambition during the digital era. First, rich environmental and other data enhance the potential of innovative development. Second, entire digital working space minimize inconvenience to citizens. What’s more, with proper security and privacy safeguards, Virtual Singapore will enable public agencies, academia and the research community, the private sector, and also the community to make use of all datasets.
Luckily, said by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tharman, Virtual Singapore is to be ready by end-2018. I hope to get a further exploration on that later.
References:
[1]Introduction: https://www.nrf.gov.sg/programmes/virtual-singapore, https://www.nrf.gov.sg/programmes/virtual-singapore/video-gallery
[2]CNBC speaks to employees from Government Technology Agency on Virtual Singapore, https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/05/18/why-virtual-singapore-isnt-just-another-digital-map.html
[3]Government Tech Singapore, “5 things to know about Virtual Singapore”, https://www.tech.gov.sg/TechNews/DigitalGov/2017/03/5-things-to-know-about-Virtual-Singapore
[4]The Business Time, “Virtual Singapore project to be ready by end-2018”, https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/virtual-singapore-project-to-be-ready-by-end-2018-tharman
