• Home
• GOVERNMENT CXO
• E-GOVERNMENT
• CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
• TAX AND REVENUE MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
• GREEN GOVERNMENT
• GOVERNMENT DATA MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT SECURITY
• GOVERNMENT CLOUD
• GOVERNMENT ANALYTICS
• GOVERNMENT GIS
• CONNECTED GOVERNMENT
• DIGITAL INCLUSION
• EDUCATION IT
• HEALTHCARE IT

Government GIS

Singapore to build digital elevation map

By Clarice Africa | 17 January 2012

Singapore will build a comprehensive digital elevation map that will show the height of land across the island state with 10cm accuracy.

The map, which will take its shape towards the end of this year, is expected to help flight the flooding problem in the country.

Users of the map will gain a better idea about the flow of rainwater during storms. The data could also be aggregated and analysed with land use information and rainfall patterns to help government make better predictions and take measures accordingly.

Private land surveyors expect the cost of collecting the data to be between S$100 million (US$78 million) to S$125 million (US$97 million), based on similar, small-scale work that was undertaken by the construction industry; and they expect the use of advanced tools to lower the cost.

Singapore had built a large-scale flood control system that had been effective for many years. However, the scale of recent rainfalls has overwhelmed the system in a number of instances, leading to damaging floods in city areas.

The country’s Public Utilities Board is conducting improvement work at some of the worst-hit commercial buildings to make them more resistant to floods. A Canal will also be checked to determine whether its current capacity is maximised.

Singapore’s Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that the country’s investments in anti-flood measures must be as effective in managing droughts and other severe weather conditions.

A panel of experts convened by the government reviewing the country’s flood protection mechanisms has recently delivered their recommendations. Balakrishnan said the government is committed to turn these recommendations into reality.

Tweet

---