wild shores of singapore: Student ideas for developing Changi

31 March 2019

Student ideas for developing Changi

I stopped by the public exhibition of ideas by students as part of the 2019 Draft Master Plan. Lots of interesting ideas, including some focused on retaining and enhancing terrestrial biodiversity. But there doesn't seem to be much consideration for impact on the marine biodiversity there.

I also took a quick look at ongoing and completed shore protection works, taking the route I did to check on the impact of the massive 300-tonne oil spill in the East Johor Strait in Jan 2017. The shores seem to be alright.

It's great to see that the 2019 Master Plan under Urban Transformation>Greater Rustic Coast has included ideas and contributions by youths.

There were many interesting ideas proposed by the students. Many had structures along the shoreline. Some had boardwalks over the water.

Poly student plans for Changi development, Mar 2019

Others had very large structures over the water.

They had an overall plan that included a shoreline boardwalk and even urban farming. Here's more about my views of how poorly managed boardwalks can do more harm than good. Farms can produce water effluent (from fertiliser and pesticides) that can harm marine life. So consideration should be given to how water run off is managed at such sites.

I took the opportunity check out the rest of Changi, following the route I used to take to check on the impact of the massive 300-tonne oil spill in the East Johor Strait in Jan 2017. The abandoned boom that I last saw at this spot in Jul 2017 is finally gone.

There are still faint stains on the drain walls.

This is what these areas looked like seven months after the oil spill in Jul 2017.

The mangroves at Changi Creek looked alright. Although there were two large dead trees that had fallen over, there were also many mangrove saplings.

And two trees were laden with seedlings that looked normal.

There was a huge array of sticks and bags that were badly stained from the oil spill and impacting the shore.

Oil spill in the Johor Strait (5 Jan 2017) from Changi Carpark 4

The area the day after the oil spill.

Today I notice that this has been replaced with seawalls. But erosion is still going on after the seawall.

Coastal protection: new seawall at Changi Carpark3

The small area next to Changi Point Ferry Terminal is still heavily used as a landing point by fish farmers located at East Johor Strait near Pulau Ubin and Pasir Ris.