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AR tour shows submerged parts of Singapore to visitors

Climate change and the consequent sea-level rise may ultimately drown portions of Singapore’s city center and shift sections of the coastline closer to how they were before land development.

With the use of augmented reality (AR) technology and old photos from Singapore’s historical past blended with modern images, a new guided tour invites the public to envisage just what the future might be like for the city.

The walk stretches for a distance of over 7.5 kilometres along the city’s ancient waterfront, covering locations such as the Singapore River, Rochor Canal, and Tanjong Pagar.

The new AR experience named “Adapting Waterfronts: Postcards from the Future, Singapore 2122,” has been developed by Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian, Temple University’s architecture professor, who partnered with the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) division of Nanyang Technological University.

Professor Kaprielian was a part of the AR content production project as a Fulbright fellowship representative. He cooperated with designers from several countries including Singapore, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the United States. The project was also approved by the National History Museum of Singapore, the National Archives of Singapore, and the National Heritage Board.

Visitors may read fictitious postcards written by designers, scientists, and architects on how Singaporeans will adjust to increasing water levels, and what kind of impact it will have on the lives of residents. Interacting with three-dimensional virtually superimposed objects involves a cellphone camera and the Adobe Aero software. The app is downloadable on both iOS and Android devices. As the software is currently in beta, it may not work on all Android phones.

Interacting with three-dimensional virtually superimposed objects involves a cellphone camera and the Adobe Aero software. The app is downloadable on both iOS and Android devices. As the software is currently in beta, it may not work on all Android phones. One stop on the trip imagines future iterations of the kampung dwellings constructed on stilts that were popular several decades back.

There has been some talk suggesting that a system of waterways may be developed in the Telok Ayer neighborhood, enabling boats to cruise through sites such as Thian Hock Keng Temple. This historical landmark was erected during the 19th century close to the shore, prior to the start of the reclamation drive towards the end of the 1800s.

Prof Kaprielian stated during the tour’s start recently that in many regards, this project attempts to recast the concerns of sea-level rise and climate change as possibilities for revamping the scope of design.

Whilst addressing selected visitors at 70 Shenton Way’s pop-up exhibition, Prof Kaprielian said that the project’s team intended to develop hypothetical works of fiction regarding what the future could bring. He added that the display lets visitors explore the different eras of Singapore’s existence, including the prospective future by looking at many creative perspectives of sea-level rise, along with planning techniques for a safer future.

The exhibition is a prominent example of how augmented reality can bring different time periods to life and help to think about the future.

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