Citizen and Socio-Behavioural Sciences

Citizens help shape better policies by sharing data and feedback through digital platforms, creating more responsive cities (Centre for Liveable Cities)

Cities are complex systems with people at their centre, and thus it is imperative that people are involved in the planning of cities. By actively engaging residents, cities can gain insights into the dynamics that shape their quality of life and ultimately impact liveability. Citizen science is a collaborative approach that involves everyday people in the process of data collection, analysis and/or interpretation, which in turn empowers citizens to make meaningful contributions to policy research efforts.  

Digital platforms enable residents to safely and seamlessly participate in decision-making, empowering them to shape solutions that directly impact their communities. As technologies advance, cities must continue to improve their digital platforms to harness the power of citizen science and crowdsourcing as a planning resource, and to ensure that their technologies benefit everyone.  

In Singapore, the InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has been establishing initiatives to help bridge the digital gap among vulnerable groups and sectors, such as elderly residents and small businesses, by equipping them with the skills, habits and tools needed to thrive in a digital future. For instance, the SG Digital Office empowers seniors through initiatives like Seniors Go Digital, successfully reaching over 370,000 elderly residents. The IMDA also launched the Digital Skills for Life framework in 2024, aiming to equip Singaporeans with essential digital knowledge and skills to conduct daily online tasks, navigate the digital space and safeguard against online risks. It has since been enhanced to offer learning resources on Generative AI through the Digital for Life portal.  

Cities are also applying social and behavioural sciences to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals and communities interact with their environment to build more liveable and people-centric urban spaces. Singapore has incorporated the use of behavioural insights in its research and planning to drive positive outcomes. The Housing & Development Board’s (HDB's) New Urban Kampung Research Programme is a notable project that relied on the use of socio-behavioural data to recognise dynamic and ever-changing residential profiles, and improve initiatives implemented in HDB towns, to meet the needs of future residents.