With climate change causing sea level rise globally, it’s important for an island city like Singapore to plan ahead and reimagine our coastlines, so we can keep our shores and our people safe.

In April 2020, PUB was appointed the national coastal protection agency to lead, coordinate and explore whole-of-government efforts to protect Singapore’s coastlines. PUB’s mission, to resist rising seas, will see us working closely with government agencies, experts, the community and various stakeholders, including businesses and interest groups, to co-develop measures to protect Singapore from the threat of sea level rise.

Key Considerations for Singapore's Coastal Protection Plans

What is PUB doing to resist rising seas?
To develop measures to protect Singapore from the threat of rising sea levels, here’s what PUB has begun doing:

• PUB has commenced the development of the Coastal-Inland Flood Model in 2021 to assess flood risks holistically.
• Studying engineering solutions with nature-based enhancements to hold back the rising seas. These include sea walls, earthen bunds, revetments and mangroves.
• Carrying out site-specific studies for vulnerable areas, starting with City-East Coast, Jurong Island and the north-west coast of Singapore.
  

To future-proof Singapore against coastal and inland flooding due to the impacts of climate change, PUB has developed a national coastal protection masterplan underpinned by the following three approaches:

1. Holistic Risk Assessment
To strengthen Singapore’s overall resilience against climate change, there is a need to study the combined effects of inland and coastal flooding, and optimise inland and coastal adaptation measures. Hence, a Coastal Inland Flood Model will be developed to simulate flood events under the combined effects of higher sea levels and intense rainfall. The model serves fit-for-purpose uses ranging from adaptation planning to operations management. It will also enable PUB to understand flood risks holistically and allow continuous review of flood risks based on the latest available data.

2. Developing Adaptive and Flexible Pathways
With current climate science, the exact rate and magnitude of sea level rise remains uncertain. Nonetheless, it is imperative to start preparations now to formulate plans and implement them progressively as development of coastal protection measures requires long lead-time and substantial investment. To cater for uncertainties, PUB’s coastal protection strategies will have to be flexible to allow for adjustments according to new developments in climate science. Policy frameworks and planning parameters will also be established to guide the implementation of coastal protection measures. Through the use of adaptation pathways in PUB’s strategy, our coastal protection approach ensures adequate protection while retaining the ability to adapt to changes in climate projections.

3. Integrated Planning
PUB will progressively carry out conceptual design of coastal adaptation measures for the various segments of our coastlines. When doing so, we will explore opportunities for value creation and develop innovative solutions that are multi-functional, integrated with land use and development plans, as well as enhance the natural environment. Stakeholder groups, such as the nature groups and community, will be engaged to seek feedback on the proposed coastal protection measures.