From skyscrapers to subterranean spaces, geospatial content which capture the locations of natural or constructed is a rich store of information for public and private sector users such as architects, developers, government agencies, surveyors, lawyers and homeowners, amongst many others.

Recently, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA, www.sla.gov.sg), as Singapore's spatial information authority, embarked on an initiative to give these users one-stop access to the wealth of geospatial content available from authoritative government sources.

Tentatively known as an intelligent map system, this will be a launch pad for government agencies to build their own map services using an Application Programming Interface (API) through which a common and consistent look-and-feel map interface can be created. It will also be the gateway for the private sector to tap on rich government content and mash it up with their own spatial information to deliver public services and to support their operational needs.

Director of Land Asset Management Services and Land Information Centre, SLA, Mr Ng Siau Yong said, "In an increasingly connected world, there is an exponential increase and exchange of spatial data and information. SLA is working together with several public agencies on an intelligent map system that facilitates public access to essential government map services. We hope to bring to the public convenience and the experience of rich information when searching for public services online."

The SLA tender for the intelligent map system received four bids from major IT service providers comprising both local and regional companies with track records in geographic information systems (GIS) solutions.

NIIT Technologies, together with its subsidiary ESRI (India), and in partnership with ESRI (Singapore), proposed a solution based on ESRI ArcGIS Server 9.3 and Microsoft.Net technology. ESRI is a GIS solutions company that provides end-to-end GIS based solutions such as software products, application development, training, data conversion and technical support. The system is expected to be launched in early 2010, following the award of the tender in February.

SG-SPACE allows geospatial information from many public sector sources to be shared within a consistent reference framework across the Government.

Another major geospatial initiative that the Government has embarked on is the establishment of a national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI). Led by SLA and the Infocomm Development Authority, it is called the Singapore Geospatial Collaborative Environment or SG-SPACE in short, and allows geospatial information from many public sector sources to be shared within a consistent reference framework across the Government.

Speaking at a user conference organised by ESRI earlier this year, Mr Lam Joon Khoi, Chief Executive of SLA, commented on SG SPACE, "It is our vision for this initiative to go beyond the public sector to encompass the private and people sector, through licensing and the provision of common goods. The initiative will result in removing duplication of data collection, encouraging re-use of data, and making informed decisions and monitoring. A multi-agency and inclusive committee has been formed to drive and coordinate the various action plans. We hope the strong leadership and governance in the committee is sufficient to drive the changes and implementation."

The Singapore Public Service has been making use of geospatial information for many years, primarily in security and land planning. SLA's Land Data Hub, for example, was implemented in 1989 and today, there are 15 public agencies sharing some 125 layers of geospatial information through SLA's network, known as LandNet. This includes digitised information on Singapore's road and mass rapid transit (MRT) networks, property boundaries, outlines of public housing and industrial buildings.

The NSDI framework will link up the Land Data Hub with other repositories of data concerning people, businesses and security matters, which are owned by various public agencies. "In our concept of NSDI, Singapore aims to develop an environment in which public agencies can collaborate and share data more easily," said Mr Lam.