The Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore set up to identify innovative solutions for coastal protection, now has 17 research projects funded by PUB’s $125 million Coastal Protection and Flood Management Research Programme. Solutions considered include a flexible seawall with adjustable heights can also support a concrete structure that allows for multi-function uses, such as a road or a park. Also tube-like barriers of natural materials to line the shore which not only shield the beach from strong waves but also allow sand and soil to slowly accumulate and raise the shores, turning the beachfront into a natural sea wall of sorts, to catch up with higher sea levels. Other ideas include XblocPlus - a flexible and scalable design that minimises land take and can be integrated with urban developments or natural habitats.
Experts highlight that there might be a situation where some parts of the island – more remote and with lower footfall – may be left to flood once in a while. These floodable areas could be coastal parks, nature spots and beach areas. “Certain places could tolerate flooding for a few hours before it subsides. If it’s a parkland, you just have to close it for a few hours… It doesn’t mean that you have to stop every centimetre of flooding. You cannot protect everything.”
