Land reclamation

Land Reclamation in Singapore

• Method of land reclamation

The landfill method is used to reclaim land from the coast and the swamps in Singapore. It is also used in reclamation works involving the merging of islands.

In the early years, the fill materials evacuated from the hills in Bedok, Siglap, Tampines and Jurong were used for filling the reclamation areas. In recent years, sea sand obtained from the seabed is the main source of fill materials for reclamation. The reclamation contractors import the sea sand from the neighbouring countries such as Indonesia.

• Land Reclamation Agencies

Other than the land reclamation of the offshore islands of Pulau Bukum, Pulau Bukum Kechil, Pulau Ular and Pulau Ayer Chawan by two private oil companies, land reclamation is undertaken by three public agencies in Singapore. They are Housing and Development Board(HDB), Jurong Town Corporation(JTC) and PSA Corporation.

Among some of the future large-scale reclamation works are:

1. a long island off the east shore and the length of which will stretch from near Marina East to Changi for waterfront housing and recreational development and roads.


2. Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin for housing and some industrial development when Singapore's population exceeds four million.


3. Pulau Serangoon and Punggol Point which will be reclaimed for quality housing.

Land reclamation has modified the coastline of Singapore, extending it seawards, especially on the eastern, north-eastern and western parts of the island, and changing it quite beyond recognition. Large coastal areas have also been straightened by building dykes across estuaries, particularly in the west coast across the estuaries of Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun. Many offshore islands have become larger. Future reclamation will add more changes to the configuration of Singapore.

• Advantages

1. With more land, more buildings and infrastructure can be built.

2.Reclaimed land is also present on neighbouring islands for housing, industry and many more purpose.

3. Can prevent flooding.

• Disadvantages

1. Land reclamation can be damaging to corals and marine life. Corals are usually moved to another place when land is to reclaimed. Corals might not be able to survive in that certain habitat, and thus die out.

2. Marine life, such as fishes, might out have enough food after the underwater plantations are destroyed due to reclamation of land. This applies to the food chain

3. The waters might also be polluted from the soil used to reclaim land, causing fished to die and blocking out sunlight, depriving the underwater plants of growth.