POLDERS
Polders represent a promising hard-infrastructure solution to manage rising sea levels. Singapore's conception of its polder program drew initial inspiration from the Netherlands, where a significant portion of the land is below sea level. In 2024, Singapore embarked on construction of its first polder at Pulau Tekong, a technique that reclaims coastline. Since then, the implementation of several other experimental polders in peripheral areas around the city have gradually improved in their optimization to servicing tropical environments. For instance, given that the Pacific Ocean is significantly calmer than the North Atlantic, the protective walls required for polders in this region do not need to be as high, simplifying construction processes. However, the region's more intense rainfall patterns necessitated the inclusion of drainage canals and pumps capable of handling greater water volumes.
First Polder at Pulau Tekong, Singapore
These findings of the previous thirty years have allowed the city-state to gather valuable insights on its effectiveness and adaptability. Thus, with the help of imported Dutch and Singaporean expertise, a robust framework for guiding large-scale polder projects in Manila appears to be feasible. With economic growth, improved resources could facilitate investment in research and development, securing foreign consultation, and overall, contributing to efforts that are now being explored to manage rising sea levels across Southeast Asia. Initiating the building of local capacity and ensuring the successful implementation of polder technology in Manila, thereby offers a solid defense against the challenges posed by climate-induced rising sea levels.
Proposal Feasibility in Manila
As countering the effects of climate change necessitates a multi-faceted approach for efficiency and sustainability, research in Singapore has been led by The Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute Singapore (CPFRIS). Research is focused on finding long-term solutions to protect the city from rising sea levels with $3.66B in initial funding for research projects, engineering and nature-based solutions. The CPFRIS proposes solutions based on research, but management is distributed across various government bodies such as the National Parks Board. The integration of a governing body such as the existing Manila Department of Engineering and Public Works to directly spearhead and manage these efforts could streamline implementation processes and possibly mitigate bureaucratic delays often exacerbated by systemic issues that will be discussed in the following section.
Mangroves are native to tropical regions like the Philippines and have been instrumental in mitigating the effects of rising sea levels by stabilizing shorelines and sequestering carbon. Singapore's initiative, backed by a public-private partnership, has established a mangrove forest that has been proved to effectively capture significant amounts of CO2 and reduce wave heights. However, due to their long maturation time and the space they require, incorporation of stone and concrete revetments to enhance these natural barriers appears as a more productive defense strategy. Moreover, the introduction of polders, a technique adapted from the Netherlands and piloted by Singapore on Pulau Tekong, presents another viable option for Manila. Polders, by reclaiming land and integrating advanced drainage systems, could protect against sea encroachments while also managing heavier rainfall—an increasingly common scenario due to climate change. The successful trial phases investigated in Singapore provide a learning curve that Manila could leverage, especially with the right investment in research and development backed by economic growth. It is important to note, however, that these solutions are primarily intended for implementation in coastal areas, where rising sea levels are most pertinent. Manila and other cities around the country will nonetheless reap the benefits of these initiatives through the downwards precipitation of their effects.
For these proposals to be viable in Manila, though, funding and societal buy-in are crucial. Public-private partnerships, similar to those in Singapore, could pool necessary capital while ensuring project accountability and efficiency. Additionally, fostering community engagement and education on the benefits of such projects could cultivate local support, essential for the long-term success and maintenance of these initiatives. This comprehensive approach, combining ecological preservation with engineered solutions, not only addresses the immediate impacts of climate change but also contributes to sustainable urban planning and resilience.