Debated in Parliament on 4 Mar 2024.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB is equipped with a sufficient number of digital infrastructure engineers and designers in the design and development of digitally ready new towns; (b) how is HDB preparing itself to be relevant in a dynamic digital built environment; and (c) how does HDB review and implement digital infrastructure upgrades for older flats and estates.
Guided by the Housing and Development Board's (HDB)'s Digital Master Plan and in line with the Built Environment Industry Transformation Map, HDB has been building up its digital capabilities, particularly in the design and development of new towns over the years. Since 2019, all new Build-To-Order (BTO) projects further adopt Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) with Building Information Modelling (BIM). Consultants and contractors are required to create and make use of data-rich BIM models to carry out design coordination and construction simulation prior to the commencement of actual works on site. As part of its Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) efforts, HDB pilots new digital technologies in selected BTO projects to enhance construction management, for instance in tracking the fabrication, transport and installation of prefabricated components; and intends to roll these out to more projects progressively.
Within HDB, officers involved in the design and construction of new BTO projects are given both formal and on-the-job training to support IDD implementation, including in BIM modelling and IDD applications. HDB also requires consultants and contractors to deploy experienced, digitally competent personnel to implement IDD in new BTO projects.
HDB is committed to develop smart and sustainable HDB towns through the strategic integration of digital solutions. This approach is guided by HDB's Smart HDB Town Framework and the Smart Urban Habitat Masterplan, which provide a detailed roadmap for the roll-out of smart initiatives.
To ensure that such digital enhancements are both technically feasible as well as cost effective at scale, HDB deploys small-scale pilot tests first in designated “Living Labs”, such as Punggol town and Yuhua. Punggol Northshore District is HDB's first smart and sustainable district, where smart technologies were piloted in a new BTO project. Since November 2021, HDB has introduced these technologies in new BTO projects island-wide.
After conducting a comprehensive assessment, HDB selects initiatives which are proven effective for roll-out to older flats and estates. An example is the Smart LED Lighting under the HDB Green Towns Programme, aimed at reducing energy consumption across all HDB towns. These smart lighting systems, equipped with predictive lighting and automated fault detection, will be installed in all new BTO projects. For existing estates, smart lighting will be introduced at the common areas in line with the Town Council's Repair and Re-decoration (R&R) cycles, with HDB providing technical support.
In addition to the specific programmes, HDB has developed a centralised data platform that can collect and analyse data from sensors that are progressively deployed in HDB towns. The data collected allows HDB to monitor the performance of systems, measure sustainability targets and refine HDB's plans over time.
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