Use of smart technologies in the planning, development, and management of HDB towns is helping to create a better living environment for residents. Our ’Smart HDB Town Framework’, unveiled in September 2014, maps out how we will introduce smart initiatives across 5 key areas.
We use computer simulation and data analytics to give us more insight into how environmental conditions interact with the layout and design of the town, precincts, and buildings, so our planners and architects can design towns that are more comfortable for residents.
A good example is the Integrated Environmental Modeller (IEM), using 3D city models to simulate the interactions of urban micro-climatic conditions (such as wind flow, temperature fluctuations, and solar irradiance) with one another, and their combined effects on the surrounding urban landscape.
We can then choose to locate amenities at more shaded areas, or place greenery in areas that receive more heat from the sun to mitigate heat gain and lower the ambient temperature. Such simulation tools are also helpful in the design of Community Plaza layouts, as we can reduce artificial lighting and ventilation by having more natural light and wind flow into the spaces.
Creating a ‘Smart environment’ using sensors is something we are looking to implement in the future. The sensors will capture real-time information on environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, and trigger solutions that can help maintain a pleasant environment for residents.
For example, Smart fans located at common areas, will activate and adjust in response to human traffic, temperature, and humidity. The fans will regulate its speed to improve the thermal comfort level and optimise energy consumption.
Smart technologies such as sensors collecting and analysing estate data, will provide information and insights that can help improve estate services by integrating, managing, and analysing data from various sources.
The data can optimise maintenance cycles, pre-empting problems, and understanding usage patterns of common amenities such as lifts and lights. Any changes in the data patterns can signify potential issues and resolve problems with minimal inconvenience to residents.
Smart technologies can also help to save energy. For example, energy efficient LED lighting with motion sensor installed at staircases will brighten when it detects human traffic, potentially reducing energy usage by as much as 40%.
We provide digital infrastructure in flats to pave the way for intelligent homes. Residents will be able to tap on Smart home applications developed by commercial companies that can improve energy savings, and enable them to access services like healthcare from the comfort of their home.
To be completed in 2020, Punggol Northshore will feature the first HDB flats equipped with infrastructure that support such Smart home solutions. Residents can install Smart applications such as Home Energy Management Systems and Elderly Monitoring Systems, in smart-enabled homes.
Anonymised data on shopping and lifestyle patterns and preferences can be used to plan for the type of shops that meet residents’ needs.
Residents can also tap on mobile apps that make use of the anonymised data to interact with their neighbours and be more active in their community.