By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Singapore government releases more data to public, aims for “social innovation”
Share
Font ResizerAa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Font ResizerAa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Enterprise > Singapore government releases more data to public, aims for “social innovation”
EnterpriseSoftware

Singapore government releases more data to public, aims for “social innovation”

Alfred Siew
Last updated: June 17, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Alfred Siew
Published: June 17, 2013
3 Min Read

Big Data

You can’t say the Singapore government is not tuned in to the latest technology trends, like Big Data.

This morning, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said it would be releasing more data to the public, such as population data by regions, to spur “social innovation” and create greater “public value”.

Essentially, the government is crowd-sourcing the capabilities available in the open market by giving the raw materials – statistics – that it has in its data banks, he said, at an e-government meeting that kick-starts a week of large-scale infocomm events in Singapore.

Software developers can take the data and generate useful apps for smartphone users here, while the public can make decisions – such as where to open a retail shop or buy an apartment – with the publicly-available information.

In particular, a new service, known as PopulationQuery, will show a map of Singapore’s population data by residential zones or commercial areas. Currently, the data.gov.sg site already provides data such as the location of schools, public facilities or property prices.

More than 8,600 sets of data have been released by 60 public agencies for app development and research so far, up by 60 per cent since 2011, when the government data website was launched. Among the apps now tapping on this data is one that lets drivers easily find where the empty parking lots are.

Interestingly, Park-A-Lot  was barred from pulling data from the Land Transport Authority’s website three years ago. Its local developer NiiDees was told then that it was not authorised to use that information. Yet, it now appears as an app under the government’s app showcase.

Clearly, the Singapore government’s attitude has changed in recent years. Besides running contests to encourage third parties to use its data, it now wants all the information on its data portal to be in “machine-readable” formats by the end of this year.

Unlike, say, a “locked” PDF file, these can be easily readable and extracted by applications without anyone re-formatting the data. An app developer can easily “slice and dice” the information in a way that makes sense for its users,.

It’s still early days yet, but if such data can be harnessed and displayed clearly, city planners can better scope out how much infrastructure is needed years ahead.

In congested Singapore, timely data sent to a smartphone in future may also help to alleviate the jam by advising users to avoid crowded areas (see how technology can help in a Singapore with 6.9 million people).

With useful information, users can make decisions like whether to take a train or arrange a meeting elsewhere based on the live data generated by the human traffic in a city.

Singapore companies to spend more on IT security
Street View turned on in Singapore
Gartner: Singapore government to spend US$3.2 billion on IT this year
Smart, autonomous tools feature in Adobe’s bold bet on agentic AI
Symantec warns users of fake Android app marketplace
TAGGED:Big datadata portaldata.gov.sgimbX 2013PopulationQuerySingapore governmentstatistics

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Avatar photo
ByAlfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article Hands on: Toshiba Excite Write tablet
Next Article Singapore expands TV White Spaces trials to Sentosa and other spots
Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow

Latest News

Samsung The Frame Pro (2025) review: Appealing design, excellent images
Audio-visual
July 1, 2025
AWS opens Asia-Pacific innovation hub in Singapore
Enterprise
June 30, 2025
Red Hat pitches open-source software for more efficient AI inference
Enterprise Software
June 27, 2025
Owndays x Huawei Eyewear 2 review: Music on your smart glasses
Audio-visual Mobile
June 26, 2025

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
© 2024 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact
Follow Us!
Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?