What Happens When Power, Water, and Transport Fail at Once?
In a hyperconnected city like Singapore, the failure of one critical system (such as the power network) can trigger a cascading effect: stalling transport, halting water pumps, and disrupting supply chains. But how do we anticipate and manage such cascading failures before they spiral out of control?
In this episode of the FRS Perspective Series, Prof. Dr. Božidar Stojadinović (ETH Zurich) and Assoc. Prof. Edmond Lo (Nanyang Technological University) unpack the science of system-of-systems resilience — a holistic approach to urban infrastructure planning that recognises the deep interdependencies between power, water, transport, and more.
With tools like ResQ-iOS, researchers can simulate large-scale disruptions and test recovery strategies in tandem, helping cities like Singapore plan smarter, respond faster, and bounce back stronger.
Key topics explored:
- What system-of-systems resilience means for future-ready cities
- How EV adoption puts new stress on the energy grid and what that means for industry and transport
- How modelling tools like ResQ-iOS help visualise cascading failures and optimise recovery
- Why resilience strategies must now address cyber threats, regional trade dependencies, and multi-sector shocks
From city planners and policymakers to researchers and urban designers, this video provides valuable insights into how simulation, science, and systems thinking can guide the next phase of Smart Nation resilience.