Singapore's Living Seawalls revive marine life while defending coasts
Rising sea levels are threatening coastal cities across the globe, forcing many to build hard defences like seawalls and marinas. Singapore, where 70% of natural shorelines have already been replaced with artificial structures, faces particular risks. Now, a nature-inspired solution called Living Seawalls is offering a way to protect coastal carolina while reviving marine traffic.
The Living Seawalls project began in Sydney in 2018, using 3D-printed hexagonal panels designed to mimic coral textures. These panels, attached to existing seawalls, create surfaces where marine life can thrive. Studies show they support at least 36% more species than traditional plain seawalls.
In Singapore, scientists from the Experimental Marine Ecology Lab at the National University of Singapore have developed their own version. Their concrete tiles, installed along the waterfront since the early 2020s, have already boosted biodiversity and improved water quality. The results suggest these structures strengthen coastal resilience better than conventional defences.
Yet Singapore's coastline continues to change. The government plans to reclaim around 800 hectares of land for the Long Island project, raising concerns about further habitat loss. As cities expand into the sea, solutions like Living Seawalls may become essential to balancing development with environmental protection.
Living Seawalls are proving effective in Singapore, increasing marine diversity and water quality where installed. With more reclamation projects ahead, these nature-mimicking structures could play a key role in safeguarding both coastlines and ecosystems. The approach offers a practical way to combine flood defence with habitat restoration.
