As far back as 1991, the Concept Plan contained hints of an extension of the Singapore Island along the East Coast stretch into the sea.
This initial concept of the Long Island was proposed as a reclaimed island for beachfront housing and leisure and its existence was driven by studies for coastal protection.
The Long Island concept was further reiterated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day Rally in 2019 as part of Singapore’s S$100 billion plan to protect itself from rising sea levels.
The "Long Island" is envisioned to stretch around 15km from Marina East to Changi, and contains a reservoir flanked by two land spaces.
The purpose of the reservoir is to boost Singapore's water supply and protect its coastline from rising sea levels; and at the same time the land spaces can be developed for new homes and integrated with coastal parks and recreational spaces.
Climate change strategies when integrated with Singapore's long-term plans will help to meet our land use needs and provide opportunities to expand and enhance our green and blue network.
The ‘Long Island’ can be planned for future housing and other uses, and integrated with coastal parks and recreation spaces.
Long Island marked out as an upcoming residential area, as part of plans within Singapore's Long Term Plan Review (LTPR) 2021.
The following image is created by superimposing the Long Island map with a street map.
24 Nov 2023
24 Nov 2023
29 Nov 2023
Reclaiming land off East Coast Park for coastal protection is the right approach that will also meet the country’s other long-term needs, said experts in the wake of an announcement that public agencies will study in detail plans to build a Long Island in the coming decades.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on Nov 28 that the authorities will soon begin extensive environmental and engineering studies on the reclamation plans, which are expected to yield about 800ha of land that will protect the East Coast area from sea-level rise and create space for development as well as a new reservoir.
Professor Yong Kwet Yew of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering said the two main drivers of the project – future land needs and protection against sea-level rise – require a long-lasting solution.
29 Nov 2023
Three tracts of land could be reclaimed off East Coast Park in the coming decades, creating about 800ha of land for new homes and other amenities, as well as a new reservoir.
Called the Long Island, these land tracts – collectively about twice the size of Marina Bay – are Singapore’s response to the threat of rising sea levels and inland flooding in the East Coast area.
Land in the area is largely lower than 5m above the mean sea level, the extent that sea levels are projected to rise to by the end of this century if extreme high tides coincide with storm surges.
On Nov 28, National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced that public agencies will carry out technical studies for the Long Island project over five years, starting from early 2024.
29 Nov 2023
Measures to protect sensitive marine habitats in East Coast need to happen from day one, say experts, to minimise the impact of the future Long Island project on sea life, which has made a comeback from a previous reclamation.
The Long Island construction not only risks disturbing turtles, corals and seagrass at East Coast Park, but may also affect the rich marine life of the Southern Islands, which are less than 10km away from the mainland, they noted.
From early 2024, government agencies will embark on extensive environmental and engineering studies for the future Long Island development off East Coast Park. Plans for the development include three masses of reclaimed land covering around 800ha, with a reservoir in between.