Singapore replaced a 2.7-km concrete drainage channel with a 3-km winding river in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, increasing park biodiversity by 30% [1, 2].
The project demonstrates a shift toward integrating natural water systems into urban infrastructure to manage flooding and support wildlife.
Construction on the project took place between 2009 and 2011, and the river was reported as completed in 2012 [1, 2]. The initiative was part of the government's Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) program, which aims to create a more varied river habitat, and a functional flood-plain within the city [1, 3].
By removing the concrete constraints, the project created a meandering waterway that allows for more natural ecological processes. This transition had a measurable impact on local aquatic life. In the rehabilitated section of the river, researchers found 26 species of fish, including three native species [1].
This variety stands in contrast to the untreated canal sections. In those areas, only eight species of non-native fish were identified [1]. The increase in native species suggests that the restoration of natural riverbanks and flow patterns provides the necessary conditions for indigenous wildlife to return to urban spaces.
The 3-km river now serves as both a drainage system and a public amenity, balancing the technical requirements of water management with environmental restoration [2].
“Biodiversity in the park increased by 30%”
The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park project represents a move away from 'grey infrastructure'—the traditional use of concrete pipes and channels—toward 'blue-green infrastructure.' By utilizing a naturalized river as a flood-plain, the city reduces the risk of urban flooding while simultaneously reversing the biodiversity loss typically associated with high-density urban development.
