Singapore Uses GIS to Master Land-Use Planning Highlights „ Plans utilize ArcGIS to help guide development 40 to 50 years into the future. „ A customized ArcGIS Desktop application fits the workflow needs of the URA. „ More than 40,000 citizens viewed the GIS-based maps on the Master Plan Web site in just three months. With a population of five million and a limited land area of 710 square kilometers (274 square miles), Singapore faces immense challenges in its land-use planning. Given its small size, careful planning is critical for the economic growth and future development of the country. Throughout the past 40 years since gaining its independence, Singapore has prided itself on sustainable development, which has allowed it to achieve economic growth appreciated by its citizens. By planning ahead and balancing land-use needs, Singapore believes it is possible for its land-scarce nation to continue to meet development and economic objectives without sacrificing a good quality of life. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore’s national land-use planning and conservation agency, is challenged with finding smart solutions so there will always be space for the needs of the island. URA prepares long-term strategic plans, as well as detailed local-area plans, for physical development, then coordinates and guides efforts to bring these plans to reality. The organization’s mission is to keep Singapore a great city to live, work, and play in. It carries out its mission by planning and facilitating the physical development of Singapore in partnership with the community to create a global city of distinction. Singapore adopts a centralized planning approach while ensuring a judicious use of land so as not to compromise its ability to meet future needs. This is done through URA’s preparation of the Concept Plan and the Master Plan, both of which provide a comprehensive, forward-looking, integrated framework for sustainable development. The Concept Plan is Singapore’s strategic landuse and transportation plan to guide development in the next 40 to 50 years. The Concept Plan, which Above left: Through the Master Plan 2008 Web site, citizens can view layers of data, such as housing areas. Bottom left: The Master Plan contains detailed GIS data and maps, such as a Building Height Control layer. Digital maps for use in GIS applications Seamlessly fittin g market datasets ! Also available:  Vector maps of municipalities, postcodes and cities  Gapless, overlap-free coverage of more than 240 countries  Ready to use in all standard GIS and CRM applications For more information, please call +49 (0) 7251 9295200. Download free map samples at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/maps. GfK GeoMarketing