OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLUVIAL AND SLOPE PROCESSES IN SINGAPORE AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This dissertation examines the sequential changes in the nature and rates of fluvial and slope processes that take place in Singapore, leading to environmental changes of both temporal and spatial types. This has importance not only because of the extremely rapid and planned alteration of Singapore, but also as the findings and rates could be extrapolated for areas undergoing rapid urbanization in a tropical rolling landscape. Data were obtained from field studies on forested hillslopes, from bare sites under construction, and from urban concrete or grass covered slopes. Measurements of hydro meteorological conditions, throughfall, surface wash, soil moisture suction, ground retreat, sediment loss, runoff generation, gully development, sediment transfer and movement, and incidences of slope failure were carried out. Furthermore, a bound experimental plot was designed and used to replicate, at least partially, the bare construction and grass covered urban slopes.