Is Singapore the Blueprint for Smart Cities?
Exemplar EPQ Dissertation Pearson Edexcel awarded 54/54
1
,Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Literature Review .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Does Singapore practice sustainability? .................................................................................................................. 15
Environmental agenda ....................................................................................................................................................................15
Eco-architecture..............................................................................................................................................................................16
Profit over the planet ......................................................................................................................................................................17
Industry impact ...............................................................................................................................................................................18
Is Singapore’s political system broken or miraculous? ............................................................................................. 20
Singapore is better off without western style democracy ..............................................................................................................20
How the PAP saved Singapore ........................................................................................................................................................20
Difficulties with democracy ............................................................................................................................................................21
Attitudes towards unconventional views .......................................................................................................................................22
Is Singapore’s economy healthy? ............................................................................................................................ 23
Singapore’s current economic performance ..................................................................................................................................23
Why businesses and investors favour Singapore ............................................................................................................................24
Poverty and wealth inequality ........................................................................................................................................................25
Burnt out workforce .......................................................................................................................................................................26
Smart urban planning .....................................................................................................................................................................26
Affordable housing for all ...............................................................................................................................................................28
Migrants living in poor conditions ..................................................................................................................................................29
Property prices ................................................................................................................................................................................30
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 32
Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 32
Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................ 35
2
,3
, Abstract
Smart cities utilise technology, policy, and innovation to create urban areas that generate high standards
of living and are sustainable. This dissertation will explore whether the South-East Asian Island city state,
Singapore, has achieved this, and if it could possibly be deemed as the blueprint for smart cities of the
future. The criteria this project uses to judge Singapore’s status of a smart city include how active a role
the city plays in mitigating effects of environmental damage, if the city’s economy is performing well, if
Singapore’s political system serves its citizens and the success of its housing system. These are some of
the most crucial aspects of smart cities and have influenced the conclusion of this project, that
Singapore can mostly be deemed a smart city provided its current political climate becomes more
inclusive and democratic.
4
Exemplar EPQ Dissertation Pearson Edexcel awarded 54/54
1
,Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Literature Review .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Does Singapore practice sustainability? .................................................................................................................. 15
Environmental agenda ....................................................................................................................................................................15
Eco-architecture..............................................................................................................................................................................16
Profit over the planet ......................................................................................................................................................................17
Industry impact ...............................................................................................................................................................................18
Is Singapore’s political system broken or miraculous? ............................................................................................. 20
Singapore is better off without western style democracy ..............................................................................................................20
How the PAP saved Singapore ........................................................................................................................................................20
Difficulties with democracy ............................................................................................................................................................21
Attitudes towards unconventional views .......................................................................................................................................22
Is Singapore’s economy healthy? ............................................................................................................................ 23
Singapore’s current economic performance ..................................................................................................................................23
Why businesses and investors favour Singapore ............................................................................................................................24
Poverty and wealth inequality ........................................................................................................................................................25
Burnt out workforce .......................................................................................................................................................................26
Smart urban planning .....................................................................................................................................................................26
Affordable housing for all ...............................................................................................................................................................28
Migrants living in poor conditions ..................................................................................................................................................29
Property prices ................................................................................................................................................................................30
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 32
Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 32
Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................ 35
2
,3
, Abstract
Smart cities utilise technology, policy, and innovation to create urban areas that generate high standards
of living and are sustainable. This dissertation will explore whether the South-East Asian Island city state,
Singapore, has achieved this, and if it could possibly be deemed as the blueprint for smart cities of the
future. The criteria this project uses to judge Singapore’s status of a smart city include how active a role
the city plays in mitigating effects of environmental damage, if the city’s economy is performing well, if
Singapore’s political system serves its citizens and the success of its housing system. These are some of
the most crucial aspects of smart cities and have influenced the conclusion of this project, that
Singapore can mostly be deemed a smart city provided its current political climate becomes more
inclusive and democratic.
4
