PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, will begin test-bedding coastal protection measures under the Coastal Protection and Flood Management Research Programme (CFRP)’s Living Lab pillar, with approximately $14m in funding awarded to five projects. The measures will be implemented at selected locations along Singapore’s coastline from 2027.

The projects reflect close collaboration between industry partners, universities and government agencies to support Singapore’s long-term coastal resilience efforts. By advancing solutions from research and pilot studies into real-world coastal environments, PUB aims to build on proven concepts with a view to future large-scale deployment.

Test-bedding locations have been selected based on technical, operational and environmental considerations, including site suitability. Results from the five Living Lab projects, which will be assessed over a three-year period, will help determine their suitability for future coastal protection works. By trialling solutions developed through earlier research, PUB aims to accelerate learning, refine designs and build confidence for wider deployment, while supporting the development of local industry capabilities and cross-sector knowledge sharing.

Team members: National University of Singapore (NUS), Delta Marine Consultants Singapore, Woh Hup Engineering and Sentosa Development Corporation.

This project builds on a proof of concept completed under PUB’s Global Innovation Challenge in 2021. It explores the use of modular blocks known as XblocPlus, single-layer interlocking concrete armour units designed to protect shorelines from coastal erosion.

The modular system has been successfully deployed in more than 40 locations across 30 countries, including within the Asia-Pacific region. Tailored to Singapore’s wave conditions, XblocPlus offers a more compact, material-efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional armour rock solutions.

The project will evaluate the long-term hydraulic and structural performance of XblocPlus modules at Tanjong Rimau, located at the western end of Sentosa. The system will complement slope stabilisation works by reducing wave-induced erosion at the slope toe while delivering cost and productivity benefits through more efficient construction and monitoring methods.

Team members: Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Surbana Jurong, HSL Constructor and National Parks Board (NParks).

The eco-sand tube is one of the 17 ongoing research projects under the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore and one of two selected to progress to the test-bedding stage.

The solution uses jute fibre, a biodegradable and natural alternative to synthetic geotextiles, together with an innovative low-carbon eco-material to treat the sand infill. The eco-sand tubes will form a bund-like barrier that hardens over time.

The tubes will be deployed at two sites with differing coastal conditions: along the Changi coastline and on the seaward side of Yishun Dam, representing sandy and muddy environments respectively. Building on earlier research, the trial will assess the durability and performance of the eco-sand tubes, their ability to trap sediment and their potential to enhance marine biodiversity.

Team members: NUS, KTC Civil Engineering & Construction, Surbana Jurong and Housing & Development Board (HDB).

The Watertight Modular Solution is the second CFI Singapore research project selected for the Living Lab programme and will be trialled at East Coast Park.

The project will evaluate the watertightness of modular concrete and geotextile tube units — fabric tubes filled with cement-treated soil — that can be retrofitted onto existing coastal protection structures such as seawalls and rock revetments. This approach addresses the challenge of seawater seepage through porous structures, including rock revetments.

The modular design also allows coastal protection infrastructure to be raised incrementally over time, supporting Singapore’s long-term adaptation to future sea-level rise.

Team members: Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Mlion Corporation.

This project will be trialled at East Coast Park and builds on previous research exploring the use of recycled oyster shells at Changi Sailing Club by Dutch engineering consultancy Witteveen+Bos.

The initiative draws on Mlion’s expertise in biorock technology, which promotes coral reef growth, to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of gabions in dissipating wave energy. Mlion is a local small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a regional presence providing engineering solutions, including sustainable infrastructure and materials innovation, across South East Asia.

Team members: Kajima Corporation, Samwoh Innovation Centre, Delta Marine Consultants Singapore, Oung Construction (S), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and NUS.

The adaptive seawall builds on a project by Japanese construction company Kajima in Tokyo, incorporating eco-friendly features such as grooves and tidal pools to support marine biodiversity.

The project will use precast concrete elements to demonstrate how coastal protection infrastructure can be progressively elevated in response to rising sea levels. The seawall panels will also be constructed using low-carbon materials and fitted with smart sensors and self-healing technologies to reduce carbon emissions and maintenance costs.

The adaptive eco-friendly seawall will be test-bedded at Changi Beach to assess its performance and monitor biodiversity outcomes under local coastal conditions.