Development of R&D Roadmap and Research Focus

The CoT programme was developed by MND Family in conjunction with our partner agencies, with the aim of delivering outcomes in collaboration with the research community and industry partners. 4 verticals were identified to address key issues of national concern and R&D roadmaps were drawn up to direct funding through the setting of challenge statements. 2 horizontals, which represent specialisation in fields that are cross-cutting, were also identified as key enablers for the 4 verticals.

Cities of Tomorrow Programme

The vision and research focus areas for each of the verticals and horizontals are as follows:

(a) Vertical 1 - Advanced Construction

Vision: To build a highly productive, integrated and technologically advanced construction sector

Key Research Themes:

  • Productive Construction – Develop an integrated, intelligent, digitally-enabled construction environment that is highly productive and cost effective.
  • Resource and Land Optimisation – Reduce and reuse resources required in construction, and intensify land use for off-site production.
  • Nuisance Mitigation – Reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

(b) Vertical 2 - Resilient Infrastructure

Vision: A robust, flexible and well-maintained city that has reliable and cost-efficient infrastructure

Key Research Themes:

  • Building Structure and Façade Fixtures - Minimise building defects and enhance building inspection processes, as well as to reduce the cost and manpower needs for maintenance.
  • Building Systems - Enhance the performance and reliability of key Mechanical and Electrical services.

(c) Vertical 3 - New Spaces

Vision: To ensure sufficient space capacity to support Singapore’s growth, yet maintain a liveable environment

Key Research Themes:

  • Underground Space – Enhance underground mapping accuracy and reduce cost of underground development
  • Land Reclamation – Reduce material usage, cost, and environmental impact of land reclamation

(d) Vertical 4 - Greater Sustainability

Vision: A high quality living environment that is inclusive, resource efficient and adaptive to climate change

Key Research Themes:

  • Urban Ecosystems - Create sustainable, resilient and green cities through applying an ecosystem approach to urban planning, development and management.
  • Quality Living - Create a comfortable and pleasant living environment for residents.
  • Energy and Resource-Efficiency - Enhance the energy and resource efficiency of towns, estates and buildings to reduce the environmental impact of operations.
  • Coastal Protection - Future-ready coastal protection for sea level rise.

(e) Horizontal 1 - Urban Environment Analytics

Vision: To achieve responsive and targeted service delivery as well as resource efficiency in municipal services and urban planning

Key Research Themes:

  • Data Analytics, Sensing and Predictive Diagnosis - Provide targeted services, anticipate emerging trends for better response, and prioritise resources to optimise output
  • Mapping, Modelling & Simulation - Assess the impact of climate change on the natural and built environment, and to incorporate mitigating measures in planning processes
  • Intelligent Systems - Improve industry productivity through automation, as well as to improve reliability and consistency of compliance checks

(f) Horizontal 2 – Complexity Science for Urban Solutions

Vision: Applying complexity science to solve dynamic urban problems, by finding hidden regularities and parameters that affect urban planning

Key Research Themes:

  • Improving Liveability in Singapore - Use complexity science to create decision support tools for urban planning, so as to better plan for a dense and liveable Singapore
Cities of Tomorrow (CoT)