Navigate void decks, get view from a building with 3D upgrade of OneMap by end-2020

Users will be able to digitally navigate through void decks, or even capture the view from a specific floor of a building when the Singapore Land Authority's integrated map system OneMap goes 3D.

The upgrade, which is expected to go live by the end of next year, was announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education Indranee Rajah on Monday (Sept 2).

Instead of acting as a map service that relies on real-life street photos, the 3D version will use models and renderings to project how buildings look like in a neighbourhood. This can be done even for buildings that are not yet built.

This will allow home buyers, for example, to get a better idea of the view from a specific floor of an apartment building, or even conduct shadow analysis to see where shadows cast by the sun will fall on the side of a building.

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This was announced at the launch at PSA Building of the inaugural Singapore Geospatial Week, a five-day series of events promoting the importance and growth of geospatial - or location-based data - technology in Singapore.

Members of the public can go online to sign up for events, such as a hands-on mapping session to map accessible routes for wheelchair-friendly ramps.

Noting in her opening address that geospatial technology is a "key enabler of our Smart Nation initiative", Ms Indranee underlined its importance given how it is integral to everyone, from public agencies to businesses and citizens.

Businesses such as ride-hailing app Grab, for example, analyse geospatial data in real-time to better match its drivers with passengers, while members of the public tap the technology daily to locate facilities and amenities through various navigation devices, she added.

OneMap, which was launched in 2010, is a free local intelligent map service that is regularly updated with information contributed by government agencies.

Besides using it to navigate their way around the Republic, users can search for information such as which schools are within 1km of a selected building or find out population information, including the number of people in a certain age group, who live in a specific area.

Now, users of OneMap's mobile app can also start searching for private sector locations, such as food and beverage options, following a partnership between Singapore Land Authority and location data company FourSquare, said Ms Indranee.

This feature is available now for Android users, while the iOS version is slated for release at the end of the month.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.