Singapore Replaces Concrete Canal with Natural River, Boosting Biodiversity by 30%

Singapore has successfully transformed a utilitarian concrete canal into a vibrant, naturalized river, significantly boosting biodiversity and enhancing urban livability.

The project, part of Singapore's Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, involved converting a 2.7-kilometer section of the Kallang River at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park into a 3-kilometer winding waterway. Completed between 2009 and 2011, the transformation introduced landscaped banks, abundant plants, and a flood plain, replacing the harsh concrete with natural materials and civil engineering techniques.

From its inception, the project aimed to serve multiple functions: improving the waterway's ecological health, managing stormwater effectively, and creating a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Even before construction was fully finished, a 2012 project announcement noted a remarkable 30% increase in biodiversity.

Further research published in Ecological Engineering confirmed the positive ecological impact. A study comparing the rehabilitated section with an untreated canal downstream found a more diverse fish community in the new river, including a higher proportion of native species. The design also allows the river to act as a flood plain during heavy rainfall, slowing water flow and reducing downstream pressure, while providing recreational space during normal conditions.