‘Long Island’ offers an integrated solution that will meet multiple national needs. The project entails reclaiming about 800 hectares of land off the East Coast, potentially in the form of ‘islands’, to protect the low-lying area from sea level rise and strengthen Singapore’s flood resilience, enhance our water resilience with a new reservoir, and create additional land to meet future development needs. The creation of ‘Long Island’ will also present new recreational opportunities by adding around 20 kilometres of new waterfront parks, part of a larger and continuous 120-kilometre-long stretch of accessible waterfront space along Singapore’s southern coast.
In November 2023, Mr Desmond Lee, then-Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Intergration, announced that agencies will commence public engagement and technical studies for ‘Long Island' given the urgency to protect the East Coast from sea level rise and to ensure that the plans for ‘Long Island’ reflect Singaporeans’ aspirations. Prime Minister Mr Lawrence Wong also highlighted the potential of turning challenges into opportunities through ‘Long Island’. URA and partner agencies have since engaged more than 3,000 members of the public and stakeholders to understand their aspirations for ‘Long Island’ and seek their ideas on the preliminary concept for the project. We will continue to engage and study the project extensively to shape a ‘Long Island’ that reflects our aspirations and caters to the needs of future generations.
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Based on the 3rd National Climate Change Study, mean sea level surrounding Singapore could rise by up to 1.15m by 2100. When extreme high tides coincide with storm surges, sea level could rise up to 4-5m. With around 30% of our land less than five metres above mean sea level, sea level rise poses a critical threat for Singapore. This is especially the case for the low-lying East Coast area, where there are already instances of flooding during high tides . We therefore need ‘Long Island’ to protect homes, businesses, critical infrastructure and public spaces in the area, such as Changi Airport and East Coast Park.
High tide at East Coast Park in 2024, causing sea water to overflow the banks of a drain. (Source: PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency)
Land will be reclaimed to a higher level and form a continuous line of defence for protection against rising sea levels, with 12 outlet drains along the coast draining water into a new reservoir with two centralised barrages and pumping stations. Similar to Marina Barrage, this will keep out seawater during high tides and discharge stormwater into the sea during heavy rainfall.
Agencies had studied building a sea wall of up to 3 metres in height along East Coast Park, supported by 12 new tidal gates and pumping stations along East Coast Park (one at each of the 12 existing outlet drains). However, this is not ideal because the construction of the sea wall would result in extended periods of disruption to park users, and the 12 new pumping stations would take up a large amount of park space, equivalent to about 15 football fields.
The concept was first mooted under the Concept Plan in 1991. Given the critical impact of climate change, the plan for ‘Long Island’ was reviewed and subsequently represented as a potential solution to protect the East Coast area against sea level rise during the National Day Rally in 2019.
Beyond flood protection, the new reservoir will provide a new source of water supply, enhancing Singapore’s water resilience. ‘Long Island’ will also present exciting opportunities and cater to the needs and aspirations of many generations of Singaporeans. Around 20 kilometres of new waterfront parks could be added to East Coast Park, which will triple the length of waterfront parks in the area. New green and blue spaces could be integrated with recreational spaces, waterfront living concepts and nature-based solutions to create multi-functional and climate resilient spaces for homes, recreation and nature.
‘Long Island’ could be about two times the land area of Marina Bay and is expected to take a few decades to plan, design and implement. Given the urgency to protect the East Coast from sea level rise, agencies have initiated technical studies and are engaging the public and stakeholders to shape the plans.
The technical studies include site investigation and surveys, engineering studies and environmental impact assessment. These studies will examine the potential impact of reclamation and the opportunities 'Long Island' could bring. The studies will also explore a combination of engineering and nature-based solutions to minimise potential impact to the environment and existing uses, and guide the creation of innovative, cost-effective and robust designs that integrate coastal protection measures with land reclamation. Technical studies were initiated in 2024 and will be completed in phases over the next few years. These studies will ensure that the development plans for ‘Long Island’ are:
From August 2025, HDB will be conducting site investigation works in the waters off East Coast Park for a few months. These initial studies will gather essential information, such as an understanding of the geological and seabed conditions, which will guide the project's detailed design and planning.
During this period, you may notice some marine barges stationed at various locations in the waters off East Coast Park, around 100m away from the shoreline, as well as survey boats moving across the waters.
The barges will remain at each investigation site for one to three days, using onboard rigs to conduct borehole drilling, soil sampling and in-situ field tests. Survey boats will carry out side scan sonar, geographical and cable detection surveys. The works are not expected to result in pollution or environmental impact.
Example of a deployed marine barge
For your safety, please:
For enquiries about the works, please contact Ms Chester Lee from Ryobi Geotechnique International Pte. Ltd. at 8183 9601.
Note: Updated as at 25 August 2025. This webpage will be updated regularly with the latest information on ‘Long Island’.
Major housing estates and public spaces along the East Coast including Marine Parade as well as East Coast Park, were developed on land that was reclaimed from the 1960s-1980s to meet Singaporeans’ housing and recreational needs. The East Coast Parkway was also integrated as part of the reclaimed land to provide a seamless connection from the city to Changi Airport, contributing to Singapore’s growth into a global aviation hub.
First blocks of flats under construction in Marine Parade, 1972. Marine Parade was the first HDB estate to be built entirely on reclaimed land. (Source: HDB)
‘Long Island’ Engagements
From 2024, we have engaged over 3,000 people from all walks of life, such as members of the public, residents in the East Coast area, users of East Coast Park, and students, through various platforms including more than 10 focus group discussions. Stakeholder groups, including grassroots leaders and businesses in the East Coast area, Friends of East Coast Park, the nature community as well as sports and recreational interest groups, were also invited to share their feedback at dedicated dialogue sessions. We have also received over 6001 responses through our online feedback form. The youth have also been participating actively. The 15th edition of the Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment (CUBE) held from 18 to 22 November 2024 saw around 120 students from 18 junior colleges, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education draw up innovative concepts for ‘Long Island’ as a vibrant mixed-use waterfront area for live, work and play. They also looked at ways to connect the existing East Coast Park to the future ‘Long Island’ with extensive green and blue spaces while meeting coastal protection needs. On 25 November 2024, URA also held a workshop with around 140 secondary four students as part of the Our Singapore Leaders Programme co-organised by the National Youth Council and National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI). Learn more about their ideas here. Conceptual plans for ‘Long Island’ are currently exhibited for public feedback at URA’s Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition from 25 June to 29 November 2025, and were exhibited at URA's Recreation Master Plan exhibition from 14 April to 30 September 2024 and Urban Lab exhibition, ‘Shaping a Heat Resilient City’, from 17 November 2023 to 1 March 2024. 1 Over 600 responses through our online feedback form as of 2024.
We have received diverse aspirations from our engagement sessions. As of end 2024, the feedback received reflects consensus on the need to protect the East Coast from rising sea levels. Participants also appreciated ‘Long Island’ as an effective solution that brings multiple national benefits.
During the engagement sessions, many exciting ideas were shared:
Many emphasised the importance of:
More in-depth engagements and discussions will take place after the key information is gathered from the technical studies. The ideas and feedback from these conversations, together with findings from the technical studies, will be reviewed thoroughly and will guide the development of a shared vision and detailed plans for ‘Long Island’.