Singapore’s first polder: Dutch expertise adapted to tropical challenges
Singapore has long relied on land reclamation to secure space for housing and resilience against rising seas. Traditionally, reclamation has depended heavily on sand. However, this resource becomes increasingly scarce due to environmental restrictions and global demand. On Singapore’s north-eastern coast, a new approach has taken shape: the country’s first polder. The project demonstrates how Dutch expertise in water management can be translated to tropical conditions. The result? New land at lower cost while boosting climate resilience.
Unlike conventional sand infill reclamation, empoldering encloses an area with a dike, pumps out seawater, and uses a drainage system to keep the reclaimed land dry. At Pulau Tekong, on Singapore’s north-eastern coast, this has resulted in 800 hectares of new land below sea level. It is safeguarded by a 10 kilometre coastal dike and an extensive water management network. The reclaimed land will primarily serve as a military training ground, freeing up space on the mainland.
Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) led the project, supported by the country’s national water agency PUB. Specialist consultancy and engineering expertise was provided by Singaporean firm Surbana Jurong, and Dutch organisations Deltares, Boskalis, Bosman Water Management, Royal HaskoningDHV and and expert advice by the late Professor Kees d’Angremond from the Netherlands.
The polder’s impact and innovation
The polder represents a strategic adaptation of the Dutch model to a new geographical and climatic setting. In Singapore, this shift is particularly significant: sand shortages and export bans have made conventional reclamation increasingly costly and uncertain. By reducing sand use by almost half, the Pulau Tekong polder provides a direct and practical response to this challenge.
How the dike and drainage system work
The polder’s resilience lies in its water management system. The coastal dike rises six metres above mean sea level. It can be raised further to accommodate projected sea level rise of up to five metres by the end of the century. On its seaward side, the dike is reinforced with natural rock to withstand waves. On its landward side, it is covered with grass to stabilise soil and prevent erosion.
Within the polder, a 45 kilometre drainage network channels rainwater into a 116 hectare stormwater pond – large enough to hold the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic swimming pools. Two pumping stations discharge excess water safely into the sea. These are supported by standby pumps and backup generators to ensure uninterrupted operation during storms or power failures. Real-time monitoring is provided by over 170 cameras and 260 sensors. This enables PUB to track water levels and dike conditions remotely.
Dutch expertise adapted to a tropical climate
The concept of empoldering originates in the Netherlands. Centuries of land reclamation below sea level have shaped both Dutch landscapes and expertise. Yet Singapore’s conditions differ markedly. While coastal wave forces are milder than those in the North Sea, tropical rainfall is far more intense. Dutch and Singaporean experts worked closely together to translate the proven polder technology into a system tailored for tropical hydrology. That resulted in drainage and pumping capacity becoming central to the Pulau Tekong design. The bilateral partnership highlights how international knowledge sharing can generate locally relevant solutions.
Sustainability and environmental impact
The Pulau Tekong project incorporated sustainability measures from the outset. By cutting sand demand by nearly 50 per cent and reusing dredged material, it reduced not only the reliance on global supply chains but also the environmental impact of dredging. Environmental studies were carried out to assess and mitigate effects on surrounding marine habitats. Sensitive species were, where necessary, relocated in consultation with nature groups and the National Parks Board. Moreover, follow-up surveys after construction showed that local ecosystems remained stable.
Applicability to other regions
As low-lying regions grapple with climate change, urbanisation, and resource scarcity, the method promises a cost-effective alternative for land reclamation and coastal protection. For rapidly growing delta cities in Asia and beyond, poldering can reduce dependence on sand, cut costs, and provide adaptable resilience against rising seas. The lessons learned in Singapore can inform future reclamation projects within the country and offer transferable insights to other nations facing similar challenges.
Looking ahead
Operating the Pulau Tekong polder will generate critical data on long-term costs, maintenance, and climate resilience. These insights will guide decisions on whether empoldering becomes a mainstream alternative to sand reclamation in the island state. For the Netherlands, the project underscores the enduring relevance of Dutch water expertise, while also highlighting the importance of adapting to local conditions.
As countries worldwide search for sustainable ways to address coastal vulnerability and land scarcity, the Pulau Tekong polder offers an inspiring model. It is not only relevant for land reclamation, but also shows how international and local expertise can be effectively combined.
Participating Dutch organisations: Deltares, Boskalis, Bosman Water Management, and Royal HaskoningDHV.
The project received wide coverage in Singapore. Watch the news report by CNA Singapore to learn more about the project here.
