Singapore will launch a historic coastal protection project later this year, with the aim of recovering up to 800 hectares of land to protect itself from rising sea levels. Preparatory work for the project, which involves the construction of a reservoir, new islands and the addition of drains, pumping stations and tidal gates, will begin following an environmental study, the city-state’s Urban Redevelopment Authority said in a statement on Tuesday. The Long Island development project “is a fundamental coastal protection measure to safeguard lives and livelihoods, andbecause rising sea levels are increasingly affecting low-lying coastal areas,” the authority declared.
Singapore is implementing a US$100 billion strategy to strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including threats of flooding and storm surge. Approximately 30% of the national territory is less than five meters above mean sea level, including the east coast area, where homes, businesses and Changi Airport are located. The government began technical studies for the Long Island project in 2023 and earlier this year passed a standalone coastal protection bill that will require landowners to build physical security measures.
A first phase of the works will be carried out west of the Bedok pier, in front of the park off the east coast of singaporefollowed by a second phase that will begin after the 2029 Southeast Asian Games, in which the waters of the area will be used for the competition. East Coast Park is used by residents for water sports, and some activities will be disrupted while the project is underway, the agency said.
Sand filling operations could also have a minor impact on air quality and some coral reefs and seagrass beds. The final profile of Long Island, which could add about 20 kilometers of new coastal parks, is still under development and subject to additional studies and public consultation, according to the release.