Coastal management in Singapore: Institutional arrangements and implementation

Abstract

Singapore's coastal management strategy involves the adoption of various institutional arrangements to protect and preserve its coastal zone resources. Currently, Singapore practices discretionary environmental impact assessments (EIA) rather than a mandatory one. However, there are efforts to make EIA mandatory not only for projects that have high pollutive potential, but also for those that may result in damage to ecologically sensitive areas. Singapore has also moved towards a more integrated coastal zone management by establishing the MPA, coupled with the system of inter-agency consultation under the Master Plan Committee, as well as through the practice of government-private sector consultations.