Launch of Alliance for Action To Co-Create Flood Resilient Developments Guidebook - Dr Koh Poh Koon

1. Good afternoon to all of you. It is my pleasure to join you today for the launch of the Alliance for Action (AfA) to co-create the Flood-Resilient Developments Guidebook.

Singapore’s Efforts in Coastal and Flood Protection

2. Let me begin by thanking the members of the AfA committee who have kindly come forward to be part of this effort. The Flood Resilient Developments (FRD) guidebook is an important endeavour.

3. Singapore is a low-lying island state. About 30% of our land is less than 5m above mean sea level. This makes us vulnerable to flooding risks brought about by rising sea levels. These risks are exacerbated by storm surges and high tides. 

4. Hence, we have taken a few important steps to strengthen our coastal and flood resilience.

5. First, we have demarcated our entire coastline into several hydraulically distinct segments and are progressively conducting site-specific studies to identify coastal adaptation solutions for each segment.  The studies for Jurong Island, City-East Coast, including Long Island, as well as the northwest coast from Tuas to Woodlands are on track. We will commence the studies for Sentosa and the south-west coast by 2026. 

6. Second, we are preparing coastal protection legislation to set out the responsibilities of coastal landowners, safeguard land for coastal protection measures and ensure that coastal protection standards are met. We will consult stakeholders and plan to table a Coastal Protection bill early in the new term of Parliament. 

7. Third, we are approaching flood resilience from a systems perspective, not just to explore synergies between coastal and inland flood protection, but also to develop approaches where building owners, developers, engineers and architects play their part alongside the Government. This is where the FRD guidebook comes in. 

8. Instead of prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach on how developments should achieve flood resilience, the FRD guidebook aims to set out principles and guidelines, including case studies. It encompasses a toolkit of measures that building owners can adopt at development level, without compromising the land use objectives. This provides designers and building owners with more room for flexibility and space for creativity in applying solutions that integrate best with the design intent. 

9. Through the FRD, we hope to strike a balance between providing adequate and practical guidance to building and landowners to achieve effective flood resilience without being overly prescriptive and impeding creativity and customisation based on different needs and interests. Some cities in the United States and the Netherlands have also published similar guidelines. 

Key Outcomes of the Alliance-for-Action

10. The new FRD guidebook will complement the upcoming Code of Practice for Coastal Protection as well as the existing Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage, which collectively set out the design standards, and operational and maintenance requirements for coastal and flood protection infrastructure. 

11. The AfA brings together multiple stakeholders to co-create and co-develop this FRD guidebook. We have experts from relevant professional bodies and associations. We hope to harness industry-wide experiences, best practices and strategies. It will essentially be a guidebook designed by practitioners for practitioners. 

12. This close collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for the successful and sustainable implementation of our long-term climate adaptation plans.  It is heartening to see key industry leaders stepping forward to be part of this partnership, in contributing towards greater flood resilience for Singapore. 

Closing

13. In closing, I look forward to the work of the AfA committee. I hope to see a FRD guidebook that will shape the way we design buildings with flood resilience in mind. Your contributions will help pave the way for a more climate-resilient Singapore, for the current and future generations.

14. Thank you.