World renowned for its urban planning accomplishments, Singapore is about to get even smarter with cutting edge collaborative research from IBM.

IBM Singapore launched its seventh Smarter Cities Research Collaboratory with Singapore’s agencies, including the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It leverages on Singapore’s extensive sensor network to provide data for analysis, and will focus on using advanced technology on analytics and optimisation to improve Singapore’s transport, water and energy systems.

These may result in systems that that react to real-time data on traffic conditions can improve efficiency by diverting traffic around accidents or improving response time for emergency services; smart grids that can accommodate electric vehicles and improve energy efficiency in buildings; and more efficient water transportation and treatment systems.

Dr Beh Swan Gin, managing director of EDB, announced the initiative as a welcome addition to Singapore’s Living Labs programme that builds public-private partnerships to improve urban planning and growth. “The IBM Smarter Cities Research Collaboratory will enable IBM to design, develop and test innovative urban technological solutions for global markets. By working with public agencies like LTA, IBM will be able to work on real-life urban problems to help create relevant, workable solutions,” he said.

Solutions developed here will be adapted to help other cities in Asia and around the world. By 2025, Asia will have 16 of the world’s top 25 megacities and over half of the world’s population will live in urban areas.