Canalisation is used to manage floods however we now know that canalisation can increase the risk of floods if the canals are not sufficiently large. PUB worked with NParks to remove concrete and expose the surface below to sunlight and restore a section of Kallang River in BAMK to a more naturalised state. The restored river ecosystem provides a diversity of benefits for man and the main benefit is the reduced impact of floods resulting from heavy rainfall. This is a remarkable start for Singapore as our rivers are mostly canalised. This area is a great site to visit as people can learn about the importance of naturalising canals while enjoying recreational activities in BAMK, just as my class did on our NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems field trip in September 2023.

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