How we design and build a smart city and nation | Cheong Koon Hean | TEDxSingapore

Summary

The video script discusses the challenges and opportunities of urbanization, emphasizing the importance of smart technology in creating sustainable and efficient cities. It highlights Singapore's vision to become a smart nation, integrating information and communication technology to enhance daily living. The script explores various smart applications, from urban planning and environmental management to elderly care and energy conservation, showcasing how data-driven insights can improve city living and address issues like an aging population and climate change.

Takeaways

• 🌆 Half of the world's population now lives in cities, emphasizing the importance of urban planning and development.
• 📈 Cities face challenges such as growing and aging populations, necessitating infrastructure and services that adapt to these changes.
• 🌡️ Climate change demands that cities encourage energy conservation to reduce carbon emissions.
• 💡 Smart technology, leveraging ICT and IoT, is being adopted by cities to improve daily living and environmental conditions.
• 📈 By 2025, it is projected that there will be at least 88 smart cities worldwide.
• 🇸🇬 Singapore's vision is to become a smart nation, focusing on improving the quality of life through technology.
• 🏡 The 'Heartlands' of Singapore, housing 83% of the population, serves as an example of a smart town, functioning like the human body with buildings, greenery, and roads.
• 🛠️ Smart planning involves using data to create 3D maps and computer models to simulate and optimize various aspects of a town, such as windflows and solar irradiance.
• 🌿 Sustainable initiatives like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems are being introduced in older estates to make them smarter and greener.
• 🔍 Sensors and data collection play a crucial role in monitoring and improving the efficiency of estate services like lighting and lifts.
• 🚗 Real-time data on transportation, such as taxi movements, helps in planning and providing information to commuters for better travel decisions.
• 👵 With an aging population, smart solutions like the SEMAS and telehealth are essential for elderly care and monitoring.
• 🏠 Home energy management systems are being implemented to save energy and provide convenience in daily living.

Q & A

What is the significance of cities in today's world according to the script?

Cities are significant as they are home to half of the world's population, posing challenges and opportunities for architect planners, especially with growing and aging populations seeking better quality of life.

What challenges do cities face as they grow?

Cities face challenges such as managing a growing and aging population, developing more infrastructure and services, ensuring these services work efficiently, and addressing climate change by encouraging less energy usage to reduce carbon emissions.

What is the definition of smart technology as mentioned in the script?

Smart technology is the use of information and communications technology, the Internet of Things, and data insights to develop smart applications that improve day-to-day living and the environment.

What is the projected number of smart cities by 2025?

It is projected that by 2025, there will be at least 88 smart cities in the world.

What is Singapore's vision for becoming a smart nation according to the prime minister?

Singapore's vision for becoming a smart nation is to enable people to live meaningful and fulfilled lives, seamlessly supported by technology, offering exciting opportunities for all, with a focus on people rather than just technology.

What does the term 'the Heartlands' refer to in the context of Singapore?

In Singapore, 'the Heartlands' refers to public housing towns that house 83 percent of the population, and are home to many residents living in about a million flats.

How does the script describe the functioning of a smart town?

A smart town functions like the human body, with buildings as muscles, greenery and parks as lungs, and roads as veins and arteries. It also has a sensor layer that collects data, allowing the town to learn and adapt.

What is the role of computer simulations in smart planning according to the script?

Computer simulations in smart planning help in designing a better living environment by collecting data about a town and simulating various aspects like windflows, shadow analysis, and solar irradiance, which can inform decisions on town design and functionality.

How can sensors in smart towns contribute to energy efficiency?

Sensors in smart towns can monitor environmental conditions like humidity and heat, and trigger actions like activating fans when certain thresholds are met. They can also collect data for analysis, leading to more efficient energy use.

What is the purpose of the Smart Elderly Monitoring Alert System (SEMAS) mentioned in the script?

SEMAS is a system designed to monitor the movements of elderly individuals in their homes, learn their patterns, and send alerts to caregivers if there is a deviation from the norm, providing peace of mind and ensuring safety.

How can smart technology improve daily living for the elderly and their caregivers?

Smart technology, such as telehealth and home energy management systems, can provide convenience and safety for the elderly, allowing them to receive medical care and manage their home environment remotely, while also giving caregivers the ability to monitor and assist more effectively.