URA signs MOU with Esri for advanced urban planning tech

Two-year deal involves investment and collaboration.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and mapping technology giant Esri have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see Singapore bring its urban planning and design processes to new heights with the world’s most advanced 3D smart city technology.

Under the MOU, Esri technology developers in the United States will commit to investing in 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) technology development in collaboration with the URA; and Esri Singapore specialists will provide the agency with local support, advice and expertise.

Esri Founder and President Jack Dangermond, Esri Singapore Managing Director Leslie Wong and URA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tan Siong Leng signed the two-year MOU at the Esri Asia Pacific User Conference in Singapore yesterday.

Managing Director of Esri Singapore, Mr Leslie Wong said: “As one of the world’s fastest growing cities, Singapore uses GIS technology to ensure its ongoing development can meet the needs of its citizens into the future. URA has been instrumental in the development path of 3D GIS technology, advising Esri on the capabilities it requires for its constantly evolving urban development initiatives. We believe through this renewed partnership, the use of 3D GIS technology for urban planning anddesign simulation will be taken to new heights.”

Through the use of Esri’s advanced 3D smart city technology, Singapore’s urban planners will be able to perform urban design simulations and visualise different scenarios efficiently.

For instance, planners are better able to simulate how different building forms affect the surrounding environment and safeguard view corridors to lush greenery. They can also conduct shadow studies on proposed developments to see how public spaces can be shaded for better comfort.

URA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tan Siong Leng said: “GIS technology has enabled our city planners to continue building a world-class city in a cohesive manner. Our continued collaboration with Esri and Esri Singapore will enable URA planners to design, build and develop with greaterinsight and take greater care of the smaller details to enhance our living environment. With Esri’s 3DGIS technology, URA can produce ‘real life’ visualisations of how our city will look before and after urban development.”

URA, Esri, and Esri Singapore have been strategic partners for more than three years, leveraging on GIS technology to deliver GIS applications such as URA maps and the Master Plan 2008. The two-year MOU will see the URA embark on several new spatial projects, and establish a ‘3D Urban Simulation Prototype Lab’ for 3D GIS testing and modelling.