Latest news with #EnviroDevelopment
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
From Australia to Saudi Arabia, these cities are getting smarter by design
The World Bank predicts a 70% urban population by 2050, driving the need for smarter cities and systems to run them. Projects in Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Singapore prioritize social and environmental considerations into their design. True smart living begins with designing for delivery, and beyond. According to the World Bank, nearly 70% of the world's population will live in cities by 2050. To meet this demand, cities must accommodate growing populations, enable mobility through well-planned transport networks, power activities with efficient energy systems, and support modern life with integrated, real-time solutions. While smart city efforts have gained momentum, many still face the challenge of aligning technology with real-world needs — striking a balance between optimizing daily operations, ensuring long-term sustainability, and enhancing quality of life. This marks a shift in how cities are built — moving beyond retrofitted digital features to embedding intelligence at the core. It's about connecting design, data, and delivery from the outset. The goal isn't just smart tools, but smarter systems that work better, together. This mindset shapes SJ Group's approach to projects worldwide — from coastal communities in Australia and campuses in Singapore to large-scale industrial developments in Saudi Arabia. Designing with the environment: The Point Estate, Australia Along Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula, The Point Estate demonstrates how environmental stewardship and digital tools can work hand in hand. Supported by SMEC, an SJ company, the 195-hectare development integrates urban planning with sensitive coastal ecology. More than two-thirds of the site is preserved as open space — featuring parklands, walking and cycling trails, and a 5-kilometer tidal waterway that restores natural flows and improves water quality. Rain gardens, bioretention swales, and lot-specific drainage systems form part of a water-sensitive urban design strategy that enhances both climate resilience and biodiversity. Behind the scenes, a 3D earthworks model enabled more precise construction, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact. A pressure sewer system provided a lower-impact alternative to traditional infrastructure. For these efforts, The Point Estate achieved EnviroDevelopment certification from the Urban Development Institute of Australia — meeting rigorous standards across ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water, and community. A smarter campus by design: NUS Integrated Operations Center, Singapore In Singapore, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is rethinking campus operations through a centralized Integrated Operations Center (IOC), developed in partnership with SJ. The IOC provides real-time monitoring of critical systems performance that keeps the 170-hectare campus running 24/7 across its large expanse of university facilities. By integrating security, engineering, and operational systems into a single platform, it delivers actionable insights that speed emergency response and minimize critical equipment downtime. Scalable to meet evolving operational needs, the IOC creates a safer, smarter, and more sustainable campus experience. Building smart at scale: Sudair City, Saudi Arabia This thinking is equally visible at a dramatically different scale in Saudi Arabia's Sudair City — one of the Kingdom's flagship economic zones. Spanning 258 square kilometers, the city's size is ambitious, but its design philosophy is deliberate. Rather than evolve through piecemeal expansion, Sudair's infrastructure, zoning, and phasing are tightly integrated from the outset. SJ's role goes beyond engineering delivery to strategic planning. Its master plan focuses on phased development designed to attract high-tech and manufacturing industries. Industrial and residential zones are aligned, services are market-timed, and land parcels are investment-ready. Sudair's intelligence lies not in visible gadgets, but in the systems thinking behind its long-term growth. Systems that serve people Across these varied projects, one unifying principle stands out: Smart cities are not defined by technology alone, but by how systems support human life — quietly, intelligently, and at scale. "Smart cities enrich lives — not just with technology, but through purposeful design that builds resilience and deepens human connection. Digital tools spark innovation, streamline operations, and shrink our carbon footprint. But a smart city becomes truly livable when these efficiencies merge with vibrant, human-centered spaces that root people in community," said Yeo Choon Chong, chief executive, integrated solutions and regional head, Asia, SJ. As cities face growing complexity, success will belong to those that embed intelligence into every layer — from planning to performance, to support one generation to the next.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Final Stage 12 lots released at Broome's Waranyjarri Estate as strong demand for housing continues
Broome homebuyers have one last chance to secure land in the popular Waranyjarri Estate, with the final four lots in Stage 12 now up for grabs. The newly released residential lots range in size from 621sqm to 983sqm, offering generous space for families looking to build in one of Broome's fastest-growing areas. A separate 1323sqm group housing lot is also expected to be released later this year, providing even more housing options within the estate, which has been certified as both EnviroDevelopment and Waterwise — the only regional development in WA to hold both accreditations. Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the rapid sales were a clear sign of strong demand in the region. 'This new release adds even more choice for home-buyers in Broome, with generous-sized lots ideal for families in the Kimberley,' Mr Carey said. 'The pace at which these lots have sold is remarkable — it's a clear sign of the strong appetite for well-located, sustainable land in Broome. 'Waranyjarri Estate continues to demonstrate how we can deliver sustainable communities that meet local demand and support long-term growth in regional Western Australia.' Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna welcomed the new release, calling it an important step in meeting Broome's housing needs. 'It is great to see this Stage 12 land release and the continued progress of Waranyjarri Estate in response to the growing demand for sustainable residential land and housing in Broome,' Ms D'Anna said. 'Our Government continues to take a proactive approach to land supply, innovative housing options and community development and I am excited to see Waranyjarri Estate continue to expand to meet these needs.' Waranyjarri Estate is part of the broader Broome North master plan, which will eventually deliver up to 4800 homes for about 13,000 residents. Located just 2km from Cable Beach and close to future parks, shops and community spaces, the estate is seen as a key part of Broome's future. All homes are connected to the NBN via fibre to the home.
