The two new agreements, each spanning three years, aim to raise construction productivity and build better communities.
In a bid to enhance construction productivity and build better communities, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on Thursday (7 September) signed two new research and development agreements, each spanning three years, with two universities amounting to $10.7 million.
A $4.7 million partnership with Nanyang Technological University Singapore to develop a Smart Integrated Construction System (SICS) aims to boost building productivity using automation and smart sensors.
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Backed by the Ministry for National Development’s Research Fund, the SICS consists of the Smart Tracking System, Smart Crane System and the HDB Integrated Building Information System (IBIS).
The Smart Tracking System will virtually manage construction logistics as the materials are transported from various suppliers to the construction site, while the Smart Crane System will automate the hoisting of building components on-site. IBIS will serve as the central digital database, where industry partners in the entire construction supply chain can input real-time data and work updates on HDB projects from different locations via the use of 3D modelling.
Meanwhile, the HDB signed a $6 million memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Singapore University of Technology and Design for the New Urban Kampung research programme, which will develop advanced modelling tools to create new housing solutions that meet the evolving needs of residents amid changes in socio-demographic factors.
This research initiative is part of the ‘Cities of Tomorrow’ R&D Programme financed by the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge (L2NIC).
Essentially, it has four main objectives, namely to gain a deeper understanding of HDB residents and their preferences, identify new quality of life indicators that reflect residents’ needs, find new ways to strengthen community-centric designs and forecast the effects of new HDB living initiatives.
Overall, the goal of the two research collaborations is to solve complex housing issues and needs by improving the science on design, planning and construction of HDB towns and estates, said the Housing Board’s chief executive Dr Cheong Koon Hean.
“With behavioural science studies and data analysis, we can better understand our residents’ needs and changing lifestyles and their likely responses to our plans and initiatives. Smart construction solutions will also enable us to build more productively and achieve better quality.”
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
