The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will keep looking for ways to work with the rest of the world to encourage the use of geospatial technology to lessen the effects of climate change.
“SLA started investing in the development of geospatial capabilities decades ago. This investment continues to pay off today with innovations such as the Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) which provides referencing for all geospatial data in Singapore, the digital cadastre that forms the solid foundation of Singapore’s land administration, and the 3D national map that supports various applications that require reliable 3D geoinformation,” says Colin Low, Chief Executive, SLA.
He also said that these changes have helped Singaporeans and businesses in ways that are both social and economic. Geospatial technology, especially in the areas of 3D data acquisition, use of space-based earth observation data, and environmental monitoring, can help solve some of the most important problems caused by climate change, like rising sea levels and damage to coastlines.
In Singapore, SLA has worked with several organisations and agencies on research and implementation of new use cases so that their effects can be tracked and reduced. From what has been learned, these kinds of group efforts are needed to solve complex problems related to climate. As Singapore’s national geospatial agency, SLA has worked with businesses and universities as well as other groups to use geospatial data to help Singapore reach its sustainability goals.
In addition, Dr Victor Khoo, Director of Survey & Geomatics at the Singapore Land Authority, has been named Co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Group on Land Administration and Management (EG-LAM) for three years beginning in August 2022.
Since the establishment of the EG-LAM in 2015, this is the first time that a Singaporean has been appointed Co-Chair. The EG-LAM is a subcommittee of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Over 28 nations from Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands are represented in the group.
Singapore succeeds the Netherlands as founding Co-Chair and will co-lead the group with Chile’s SNIT-IDE (National System of Territorial Information). Thus, Singapore is excited to work with the Co-Chair from Chile and other experts, companies, and researchers from around the world to find ways to use geospatial technology and knowledge to help other countries get ready for climate challenges in the future.
According to SLA Chief Executive Colin, Dr Khoo was essential in these advances, and his selection as Co-Chair of the EG-LAM affirms Singapore’s expertise and leadership in the field of geospatial information and technology.
The appointment will also put Singapore and its enterprises in relevant industries in a position to share their experience with other nations for the purpose of mutual learning and the creation of economic prospects.
Dr Khoo and the Singaporean team will share Singapore’s expertise in the 3D mapping of the environment to generate high-resolution geospatial data and 3D city models with the EG-LAM on coastal protection, solar panel deployment, and greening efforts, among others.
In addition, SLA Chief Executive Colin believes that Singapore will provide value to the EG-LAMs plan to support the adoption of geospatial-based technologies for climate change mitigation measures and sustainable development, as many nations face the effects of climate change.
With this, the Singapore Geospatial Festival 2022 will be organised by SLA from 3 to 7 October 2022 with the theme “A Sustainable Future through Geospatial.” The festival brings together worldwide and local geospatial communities to promote the usage of geospatial technologies such as GNSS and location-based mapping. Additional information about the festival will be announced separately.
