Water taxis, cycling paths at Kranji Dam among ideas to shield north-west coastline

Rising sea levels could cause flooding in coastal reserve areas

- Ang Qing Correspondent

Standing at the entrance of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in northwestern Singapore on Sept 27, some members of the public were “transported” 75 years into the future.

By 2100, rising sea levels could cause the coastal reserve to flood, with water levels projected to be thigh-high during extreme high tides or when there are storm surges, Mr Reza Pradana, a senior urban designer of consultancy Arup, told them.

While there have been sessions for other stretches, such as Singapore’s southeastern shoreline, this is the first engagement focusing on the northwestern coastline.

The public engagement exercise followed earlier efforts by national water agency PUB to study the coastline, which extends from Lim Chu Kang to Woodlands.

The study, which will recommend coastal protection measures for the 15km stretch, began in August 2023 and is expected to be completed in the next one to two years. The public input will contribute to the study, which Arup has been commissioned to do.

The stretch of coastline features landmarks such as the future Sungei Kadut Eco-District that will create industrial space, the Woodlands Checkpoint and biodiversity-rich areas like Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park.

As part of the session, participants went for a site walk at the wetland reserve and other nearby landmarks, such as the Kranji Dam and Tidal Gatehouse, before they shared ideas on how the coastline can be better protected.