IN CONVERSATION WITH
understanding and analysis of climate data to prevent future impacts. Starting small can protect us and create multiple benefits today. This is why Ramboll supports nature-based solutions, as it offers immediate benefits like recreation, mental health, and access for everyone, and in the long run enables a more flexible and adaptive approach to infrastructure development to protect against climate change impacts. Protecting Singapore’s coastlines and preventing floods are priorities for national water agency PUB today. How should the nation tackle climate change? Hariram: The journey that Singapore has embarked on is new, in terms of how infrastructure is deployed. How can we make it multifunctional? How do we incorporate hybrid infrastructure? Restoring biodiversity in our mangroves and mudflats and create spaces along East Coast Park for public access. Building multifunctional revetments or dykes takes time for design and engineering. We need upskilling of the industry. We need to have alternate materials that are sustainable and also support decarbonisation. Innovation is key, bringing economies of scale. Singapore is generating multiple spinoffs, boosting the economy and businesses from SMEs, startups, technology, AI, digitalisation, and nurturing the next generation of engineers. PUB has done an admirable job in pushing boundaries and having a vision of multifunctionality, one that they had already embarked on several years ago to enhance water security in Singapore. What are some initiatives to improve water infrastructure by Ramboll? Hariram: Here are three initiatives by Ramboll. SIBU CLOUDBURST MASTERPLAN Sibu city, Sarawak, Malaysia, is heavily impacted by frequent flooding due to its unique geographical location in a low-lying area near the mouth of Rajang river. Heavy rainfall and high tides can cause the river water to rise and overflow into the city, damaging infrastructure and affecting the livelihoods of people. Ramboll has been engaged to undertake the challenge of
developing a cloudburst masterplan for the city, which will utilise BGI to enhance flood resilience in the city. The master planning project consists of three stages — flood risk assessment, cloudburst masterplan and design options for Sibu city, and integrated infrastructure and urban redevelopment masterplan. Ramboll is providing climate adaptation, architecture and landscape, town planning, environmental, mobility/ transport planning, hydraulic engineering, and geotechnical engineering services. Integrated planning and BGI implementation were advised to mitigate flood risks, alongside studying the interface between high-risk river edges and planned protective measures like the polder dike, as well as other infrastructure elements like roads and setbacks. Cloudburst resiliency planning is about helping cities cope with the extreme rainfall events of the future caused largely by climate change. The strategy not only tackles key flood management and water quality issues but also creates synergy with the urban environment. The solutions are therefore multifunctional and nature-based, enabling Sibu to be developed as a sustainable and resilient city. SECOND GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION (GMS) TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE The second GMS tourism infrastructure project — with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners — aims to promote economically inclusive, competitive international tourism destinations by improving road and water transport infrastructure, urban environmental services and developing local capacity to manage tourism growth. Ramboll supported the transformation of the secondary GMS central and southern corridor towns to create a destination for international tourism by providing consulting services for project management and civil engineering support. Together with Specity Solutions Consultants, we developed the framework to boost trade, increase tourism services and deepen regional cooperation and integration among the GMS and ASEAN, to benefit residents with climate-resilient infrastructure
development and increased access to economic opportunities. Ramboll’s role in this project includes the preparation of technical specifications, costs and schedules, social and environmental safeguards compliance monitoring, construction supervision, and asset management training. ASEAN AUSTRALIA SMART CITIES TRUST FUND (AASCTF) — BAGUIO Baguio city, the Philippines’ smart flood warning, information and mitigation system is a part of the ongoing AASCTF initiative. Through a hydrologic and hydraulic model and real-time data capture, a flood early warning system (FEWS) will be established to equip Baguio city with both the means to warn the population, and the capacity to respond swiftly and well in advance of flood events. The model will also allow the city to develop a flood mitigation action plan with long- and short-term measures, including nature-based solutions, so that flood damages and losses are prevented and minimised. Ramboll’s role in this project includes baseline assessment, hydraulic model setup including hazard and risk mapping, design of a flood early warning system, data dissemination and outreach plan, flood mitigation action plan, and replication of real-time data capture as well as monitoring and evaluation. Ramboll will also work with ADB and Baguio city government and stakeholders on pre-monsoon operation and assessment of the FEWS setup in the first phase, and monsoon operation and assessment and post-monsoon systems updates.
Pritha Hariram Head, water infrastructure and climate adaptation, APAC, Ramboll Singapore
24 Water & Wastewater Asia | September-October 2024
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