In Singapore, where land is scarce, every square metre counts. Spaces must be functional, welcoming, and future-ready. SLA Undergraduate Scholars Lee Jia Ying and Willis Lau Weisong, together with their respective teams, bring this mission to life.

As an Assistant Manager in Land Development, Jia Ying translates ideas into reality through development of State land, shaping spaces where people live, work, and play. Senior Geomatics Engineer Willis ensures every plan is precise, using geospatial tools to monitor land movement, modernise mapping systems, and guide planning decisions. Together, their work reflects SLA’s mission: turning limited land into unlimited space.

Jia Ying and Willis share their passions and the experiences that have shaped their journey at SLA.

Can you tell us how your interest in shaping land use first developed?

Jia Ying: In my first Geography class, we discussed the idea of ‘places’ versus ‘spaces’. What begins as a physical ‘space’ becomes a ‘place’ when people attach meaning to it. That sparked my interest in placemaking and urban studies — exploring how city development and design shape everyday lives. Pursuing land development at SLA allows me to be directly involved in creating spaces for the community in a meaningful way.

Willis: Even before university, I’ve always had an interest in geography, climate sciences, and environmental issues, making environmental studies the perfect balance between my interests. During my undergraduate studies, I discovered Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and realised its potential to analyse problems and craft solutions using geospatial data. These GIS skills eventually paved the way for me to pursue a career doing geospatial work, where I could apply these skills to analyse problems and create novel solutions.

Willis, why was the SLA Undergraduate Scholarship the right choice for your career aspirations, and in what ways has it shaped your journey?

The SLA Undergraduate Scholarship offered a clear path for a vibrant and impactful career in geospatial work within the public sector. The scholarship gave me valuable internship opportunities, connecting me with colleagues from different departments and helping me shape my own career choices. It also enabled me to pursue postgraduate studies, deepening my technical knowledge and experience, preparing me for my role as a Senior Geomatics Engineer.

Tell us more about your role at SLA! What does your day-to-day look like?

Jia Ying: My role is diverse. I manage end-to-end stages of a few integrated developments — from site planning and concept design to construction and post-construction management. Each day looks different: I might conduct site research, review wayfinding designs, plan resident engagement sessions, or visit construction sites. The scope ranges from macro considerations like community impact to micro details such as structural and material finishes.

Willis: Every day brings new challenges and tasks! As a geomatics engineer, geodesy — the science of measuring and understanding the Earth’s shape, orientation in space, and gravity field — is a core component of my job. One day, I might be advancing our land motion monitoring system to better detect areas where Singapore’s land is sinking, which is crucial for our infrastructure planning. The next day, I could be working on modernising our national coordinate systems to align with global standards, ensuring our maps and surveys remain accurate as technology evolves.

Willis, can you share with us your proudest achievement at work so far?

During my time at SLA, I co-authored a paper on integrating terrestrial and maritime domains, which was presented to Member States of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). As someone relatively new to the team, having the opportunity to work on a paper that was presented at an international level was incredibly exciting and remains one of my proudest moments at SLA!

Jia Ying, have you had any interesting discoveries while building community spaces?

It’s always fun to see how small design choices can completely change the atmosphere of a space. A colorful mural, for instance, can instantly make a plaza feel livelier and more inviting. I suppose it’s an occupational hazard, but I’ve even started noticing little details in other spaces that I visit — spatial layouts and arrangements that make a place feel sociable, vibrant, and full of character.

Outside of work, do you have hobbies or interests that connect back to your professional passions?

Jia Ying: Definitely. I enjoy engaging with the local design scene, attending talks by architects, visiting research labs and exhibitions to stay inspired and informed. I also love urban literature — some favourites include The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard and Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino.

Willis: In my free time, I like immersing myself in nature and going on nature trails. During my undergraduate days, I was even part of a student club that gave guided nature walks to the public at MacRitchie Reservoir and Pasir Ris Boardwalk.

What has helped you grow the most in SLA, Jia Ying?

It’s exciting to be part of an interdisciplinary team with experts in architecture, engineering, facilities management, and the public sector. There is so much to learn from my colleagues, who each bring a wealth of technical expertise and experience in areas like façade design, maintainability, and sustainability. Working alongside the team has also deepened my understanding of how different disciplines collaborate to shape the built environment.

What kinds of career opportunities are there at SLA, Willis?

SLA offers diverse opportunities for those looking to contribute to optimising land and space utilisation, safeguarding property ownership, and promoting the use of land and space data. From geospatial and regulatory work to property management, SLA has many different opportunities catering to different interests.

Finally, what advice would you give to students considering this scholarship, Jia Ying?

Start exploring your interests early! Taking time to read about the organisation, including government publications and news articles, helped me gain a deeper understanding of the history of land in Singapore and SLA’s role in it. Reflecting on my passions and reasons for joining the public sector also gave me greater clarity during interviews. All the best!