Virtual Singapore

Virtual Singapore is a 3D digital model of Singapore that uses real-time and topographical data. It is a digital twin of the city-state, and the first digital twin of a country. Virtual Singapore is co-led by the National Research Foundation, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the Government Technology Agency. The Government of Singapore used Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE City to create the digital model.
Virtual Singapore was first launched on 3 December 2014, as part of Singapore's Smart Nation drive, and was completed in 2022.
SLA began developing a 3D national map in 2012 to help the country make better use of its limited land and identify areas at risk of flooding. The Government of Singapore launched a 3D mapping program in 2011 after a flood occurred in the country after a very heavy downpour. The first map of the Virtual Singapore project was completed in 2014.
“Indirectly, it started with the idea of digitizing a city,” stated Ingeborg Rocker, Vice President of the 3DEXPERIENCE City project. Rocker had resigned from Harvard University to work on the Virtual Singapore project.
In 2014, LA began a 3D national mapping effort to create a Singapore Advanced Map that would depict the complicated urban environment in great detail and help in the development of endless space from restricted land. The project's ethical high-resolution and open-source map data offer a digital framework for the Smart Nation. It also aids in transitioning to a 3D-enabled Smart Nation, where data would be used in applications such as national security, urban development, climate change adaptation, etc.
The Singapore Land Authority spearheaded the program to construct and maintain a high resolution 3D map of the country. It was funded half by the Government of Singapore and half by agencies, principally the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Public Utilities Board. The project required the collecting of massive amounts of data in various formats totaling more than 50 terabytes. The Singapore Land Authority hired the AAM Group to conduct airborne and land surveys to collect data.
The project was divided into two phases.
During Phase one, aerial photography and airborne LiDAR were utilized in the first phase to record the country's topographical and surface data and develop digital models, which served as the overarching framework for the Singapore Advanced Map.
Phase two had vehicle-mounted laser scans to augment the aerial footage with street level data as part of the project's second phase, considerably improving map detail. A vehicle-based mobile mapping survey of the nation's 5500 kilometer road network was done to acquire more than three million photos, as well as build extremely detailed 3D models of the congested urban highway system. Bentley Systems' MicroStation's quickest data gathering and manipulation capabilities were employed to achieve a modeling accuracy of 0.3 metres and save over 3000 resource days and related expenditures.
Ng Siau Yong, Director of the Geospatial Division at the Singapore Land Authority, had stated that Virtual Singapore "aims to synergize all the 3D efforts from various agencies of the Government onto a common platform, so that, all public agencies can make use of a common 3D digital city model of Singapore."
Virtual Singapore serves as an opportunity to urban planners and architects. The three-dimensional digital twin allows these professionals to visualize the cityscape in intricate detail, experiment with different architectural and infrastructure scenarios, and assess the potential impact of proposed changes on the urban environment. This aids in the creation of more efficient and aesthetically pleasing urban spaces.
The digital model facilitates the simulation of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and utilities. By virtually constructing and testing these elements before implementation, planners can optimize designs, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the city's infrastructure.
Virtual Singapore provides a platform for simulating and optimizing transportation systems. This includes analyzing traffic flow, testing different public transportation strategies, and identifying potential congestion points. By understanding how changes in transportation infrastructure impact the city, authorities can make data-driven decisions to improve mobility and reduce congestion.
The digital twin is instrumental in disaster management and resilience planning. It allows authorities to simulate and plan for various disaster scenarios, such as floods, earthquakes, or pandemics. By understanding how the city might be affected under different conditions, emergency response plans can be refined, and resilience strategies can be developed to mitigate the impact of potential disasters.
Virtual Singapore facilitates real-time monitoring and analysis of environmental factors. This includes tracking air quality, monitoring green spaces, and assessing the impact of urbanization on the ecosystem. The data gathered helps in formulating strategies for sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering a healthier living environment for the city's residents.
The project aligns with the broader goals of transforming Singapore into a smart city. By integrating technologies like the Internet of things (IoT) and data analysis, Virtual Singapore supports the deployment of smart city solutions. This includes initiatives such as smart grids, intelligent street lighting, and other innovations aimed at improving overall quality of life for residents.
Virtual Singapore is accessible to many research institutes and university labs, such as the Government’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research and the National University of Singapore. Alexander Parilusyan, Vice President at Dassault Systèmes stated that "They can use this model to do very large-scale simulations, like wind, noise, traffic simulation."
Parilusyan also adds that "In the future, citizens and businesses will also get access to Virtual Singapore." We are working on this topic with agencies to see what kind of data we can provide to this external platform." "For instance, companies could use Virtual Singapore to test driverless cars without placing them on heavy-traffic roads," the Government of Singapore has stated.
Companies can use Virtual Singapore to visualize how the city will develop and evolve in response to population growth, new construction, and other major events.
Virtual Singapore captures a large amount of data, which can help planners learn and share lessons about construction and infrastructure before they become expensive urban planning problems. The platform allows stakeholders from different sectors to test solutions for effective planning and decision-making without taking too many risks. Virtual Singapore can be used for flood risk analysis, opportunities for solar panels and green roofs, and examining the impact of wind load on vegetation.
Businesses can use the platform's wealth of data and information for business analytics, resource planning, and delivering specialized services.