Source : Business Times – 16 Dec 2009
THE Housing Development Board (HDB) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) yesterday signed a collaboration agreement for the country’s first township climatic study in Punggol Town.
Close to $960,000 has been set aside for the implementation of the project, which is jointly funded by the Ministry of National Development, HDB and NUS.
It is expected to be completed by end-2010.
‘The signing today marks a deeper cooperation between HDB and NUS to carry out cutting-edge research for Punggol town. The results from the study will enable a more effective design for sustainability,’ said Tay Kim Poh, chief executive officer of HDB.
‘HDB residents can look forward to a sustainable living environment that capitalises on naturally ventilated buildings and optimises energy efficiency.’
This study of the climatic conditions for Punggol will lay the groundwork for superior wind flow and cross ventilation, energy efficient buildings, natural energy resources and tropical green architecture within a township.
Punggol, which is HDB’s youngest town, has been earmarked to become Singapore’s most eco-friendly town, as part of its billing as a waterfront town.
‘As the vision of Punggol Town to become Singapore’s most eco-friendly town continues to unfold, NUS is pleased to share our expertise in design and environmental sustainability, and contribute to its design and development,’ said Barry Halliwell, NUS’s deputy president for research and technology.
‘The project will serve as an exemplary example to illustrate the creation of an energy-efficient and sustainable urban living environment through research-based township planning.’
The study will be led by Wong Nyuk Hien from the department of building at the NUS School of Design and Environment.
It will feature the use of software for a range of things, from the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software that will be used to map the landscape of Punggol Town, to the Ecotect software that will capture the solar radiation profile of Punggol Town in order to identify the best locations for solar panels.
The Punggol area has been the target of intensive development in recent years. Almost 44 per cent of new flats launched in Singapore in the last two years have been in Punggol.
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