Water Science Policy is pleased to announce the launch of the Singapore Sea Level Rise Design Competition in partnership with the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
The goal of this competition is to raise awareness around sea level rise and design innovative solutions for Singapore. Furthermore, we anticipate this competition will create greater recognition of the role of nature-based solutions for sea level rise adaptation.
In February 2023, four winners will be announced. The selected winners will receive a financial prize, as well as a feature in an opinion editorial publication, which will be published via Water Science Policy and the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) websites. All other submissions will be considered for publication at both websites.
According to the 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC, 2021), the global mean sea level is expected to rise between 0.28 and 1.01 meters by the year 2100 under the very low to very high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions scenarios. Very high GHG emissions scenarios could also lead to sea levels rising by 2 meters by 2100 and 5 meters by 2150 due to uncertainty in ice-sheet processes. Floods and storm surges could also augment the impacts of sea level rise on coasts.
As a low-lying island city state, Singapore is especially vulnerable to sea level rise. Around 30 percent of Singapore has an elevation of less than 5 meters above the Singapore Height Datum (NCCS, 2022). In his 2019 National Rally Day Speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that it could cost Singapore over S$100 billion over the next 50-100 years to prepare for the effects of rising Sea Levels.
Singapore has already implemented a policy where new developments must be built at least 4 meters above sea level, up from 3 meters. Investments in infrastructures such as seawalls, dikes, barrages, polders, and other natural forms of defense are also expected.
Imagine a Singapore coastline in 2100 in a high sea level rise scenario. How will the country embrace both built infrastructure and nature based solutions for its urban coastline? Will a managed retreat of the coastline occur?
Any software may be used to prepare the proposal. Design suggestions with basic concept drawings are permissible. The design will primarily be judged for the quality of idea and not simply for the excellence of an image.
- Participants are allowed to submit up to 3 images in A3 format (420x297mm), horizontal. The template is provided HERE (attached ready-to-use .PSD format with logos and headings). The images might include technical drawings, schemes, figures and graphs, maps, 3d visualisations or/and graphic artworks that explain the idea of the contestant. If you do not have access to photoshop or adobe products, please use any other application you have access to and make sure to submit your files in A3 format with at least 300 dpi.
- The explanatory note for the submission should be attached separately as a word document and should include the brief explanation of the idea, possible location or applicability of the project, theoretical or practical justifications (theories, relevant case studies, experiments, surveys, etc.), and expected actors to be involved.
- Submissions have to be done by individual professionals or organizations and have to be the original work of the participant. The proposed solution could be an already implemented project, a developed proposal, or a simple idea that builds on the innovative trends to reduce vulnerability caused by the sea level rise.
- Email your submissions to [email protected] and [email protected] in copy. You must either directly attach the files or a link to a shared folder (e.g. Google Drive, or wetransfer). Please include your name, age, and affiliation in the email.
1st place: $1000 + published via WSP and IES website
4 Honorable Mention Prizes: $250 + published via WSP and IES website
Deadline:- 08-02-2023
