Punggol, Bidadari, Tampines North and Tengah - these are some of the towns that will stand to gain from a new modelling tool by leading European companies Electricite de France (EDF) and Veolia Environnement Recherche et Innovation (VERI).

This tool will not only give planners the means to simulate various factors such as wind flow, heat and glare on a virtual platform, but will also enable them to project the behaviours of the future Housing Board (HDB) residents to achieve a better designed town.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the tool will be the result of a research collaboration agreement between the Housing Board and the two European companies that will take place during the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum held in Bilbao, Spain this Friday. It is supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Housing Board chief Cheong Koon Hean said the agency was pleased to co-develop the modelling tool. "Ultimately, it will help us create a better living environment that will benefit our residents," she added.