land reclaim

7/28/2019 land reclaim

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS

COASTAL RECLAMATION IN

MALAYSIA

REGIONAL SEMINAR ON LAND

RECLAMATION FOR URBAN

DEVELOPMENT

UNIVERSITY MALAYA,

KUALA LUMPUR 10 11 AUGUST 1992

DATO IR.HJ.SHAHRIZAILA BIN

ABDULLAH/AND IR . DR.HIEW KIM

LOI

1997


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KEYNOTE ADDRESS"COASTAL RECLAMATION IN MALAYSIA"

REGIONAL SEMINAR ONLAND RECLAMATION FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENTUniversity Malaya, Kuala Lumpur10 - 11 August 1992


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COASTAL RECLAMATION IN MALAYSIA

Data' Ir. Hj. Shahrizaila bin Abdullah'and Ir. Dr Hiew Kim Loi*Department of Irrigation and Drainage,Malaysia

ABSTRACTIn the past two decades or so, there has been an increasein the number of coastal land reclamation projects forresidential, commercial and industrial development in many of themore developed coastal cities of Malaysia. The success of ancoastal reclamation project is strongly dependent on sound

planning and design practices, covering both the engineering annon-engineering aspects. Engineering considerations in theplanning and design of coastal reclamation projects are discussedwhile potential environmental impacts are elaborated based olocal and overseas experience. Some of the negative impactsinclude coastal erosion, loss of mangroves/wetlands, impedanceof natural drainage and damage to marine eco-system. Recentadvances in mathematical modelling have contributed greatly tthe improvement of planning and design practices for suchprojects as well as in the assessment and quantification opotential environmental impacts.The Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act (19851,Environmental Impact Assessment Order (1987) and General Circular5/1987 issued by the Prime Minister's Department constitute themain legal and administrative instruments of the Government tcontrol and regulate the planning approval of coastal reclamationprojects in this country. There is a need to strengthen oimprove the administrative and enforcement efficiency of thepresent mechanism and to develop comprehensive information database and state-of-the-art technology to assist in the screeningand planning approval of specific reclamation projects. Thpreparation of integrated coastal zone management plans for all

coastal areas is also strongly recommended as a positive steptowards sustainable and balanced use of the land, water anbiological resources of the coastal zones with due considerationto the tradeoff between economic development and environmentalconservation.


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1. INTRODUCTIONMalaysia has a total land area of 329,750 km*, comprisingthe mainland of Peninsular Malaysia (131,590 km*) and the stateof Sarawak (124,449 km*) and Sabah (73,711 km*).corresponding lengths of shoreline for the three regions are 1km, 1040 km and 1800 km respectively. Physiographically,

coastlines of Malaysia are of varied character and configuration.The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia comprises mainly sanbeaches while the west coast is made up of low elevation coastaplains formed from marine clay, occasionally interspersed sandy pocket beaches hemmed in between rocky headlands.coastlines of Sabah and Sarawak comprise roughly equal proportionof sandy and muddy formations.The coastal zones of Malaysia support a major portion %) of the population, is rich with natural resources, and is center of economic activities: urbanisation, agriculture,fisheries, aquaculture, oil and gas exploitation, transportationand communication, recreation, etc. Of the coastal regions, west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is most developed socioeconomically, with 57 percent of its length under agriculture 21% under housing, transportation and recreation facilit ies.The population of Malaysia in 1990 was 17.8 million,expanding at an annual growth rate of 2.6%. At this rate, population is expected to reach 33.6 mill ion by the year 20In 1970, urban areas accounted for 27% of the total populationbut this has increased to about 40% in 1990. The urbpopulation is expanding at a rate of 4.2%. One would expect m

than 50% of the population to be resident in urban centers by year 2020. Many of the large population centers are located coastal areas, typical examples are Penang, Melaka, Johor BahrKuantan, Klang, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bahru, etc.On the economic front,economy is also the structure of the Malaysianundergoing rapid transformation. In 1980, manufacturing sector accounted for 20.5% of the Gross DomestProduct (GDP) but this has increased to 27% by the year 19With an estimated growth rate of about 10% per annum,manufacturing factor is expected to account for 37% of GDP by

year 2020. Many of the industries are located in coastal citiesto facilitate export and to tap the labour pool in these urbcenters.Population expansion and industrialisation are the two mfactors that have contributed to the rapid growth of many coastacities, resulting in an escalating demand for prime land.wide shallow waters that abut the coastline become the primtarget for reclamation. The financial advantage of coastal lareclamation is easily demonstrated considering the currenmarket value of prime land in coastal cities and the construction


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2. CURRENT PROGRESS IN COASTAL LAND RECLAMATIONCoastal land reclamation for urban use is a relatively nedevelopment in this country. Prior to the 1970's, there wahardly any work on coastal reclamation other than some smalscale reclamation work in conjunction with the construction expansion of port facilities. Reclamation of coastal waters fo

housing and industrial uses came into significance after 1970'sas a result of accelerated urban development and the rising cosof land in some major coastal cities. To date, Penang, Melaka,Port Dickson, Kota Kinabalu are towns or municipalities that havsuccessfully implemented coastal land reclamation works, eitheras public sector or private sector projects. In Penang Island,the Penang Development Corporation has to date reclaimed abou500 ha of coastal areas for housing and industrial development,located mainly in the Bayan Lepas area. In Melaka, about 100 of land had been reclaimed for residential and industrial use the Kota Laksamana area. In Port Dickson, about 60 ha of coastalland was reclaimed for coastal resort development. In PulaLangkawi, a rapidly developing international tourist resort,about 20 ha. of coastal land reclamation work are nearingcompletion. In Kota Kinabalu, sizeable coastal reclamation work(acreage cannot be confirmed) have also been carried out (thHyatt Hotel and its vicinity).

There are also a number of other coastal land reclamationprojects in the planning and design stage. These includereclamation works on the coast of Perlis, Central DistrictDevelopment Project in Penang Island, Telok Sisek in Kuantan aRancha-Rancha area in Labuan Island. Details of these projects,unfortunately are not available at this stage. One could expecan increase in coastal land reclamation projects in the futureas more coastal towns embark on similar venture, building on thexperience and success of others.

The scale of coastal reclamation in Malaysia is small comparison with the neighbouring country of Singapore. Pui (1991reported that over the last 100 years, Singapore has reclaimedsome 53 km* (5300 ha) of land from its coastline involving 1million cubic meter of earth and 120 million cubic meter seabed sand. The reclaimed land accounts for about 8% of thpresent land area of Singapore.

3. ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS IN THE PLANNING AND DESIGNCoastal land reclamation projects are major engineeringundertakings, involv ing substantial capital cost outlay and lonterm impact on the natural environment. A good knowledge understanding of coastal processes and the related marine ecsystem is therefore required in order to arrive at the most coeffective and environmentally friendly solution, assuming tha


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in the first instance. Some of the engineering considerations the planning and design of such projects are discussed below (a) The layout planning of any coastal reclamation projectshould give full considerations to coastal anhydraulic characteristics of the area. For thispurpose, observations of offshore and nearshore wavconditions, bathymetric information, tides, etc arrequired. The correct siting of platform level crucial to the functional performance of threclamation works as well as its financial viability.Properly conducted engineering study by qualified anexperienced specialists is the only proven and trustedapproach of developing project layout and dimensionsthat fulfil the functional requirements of particular project.(b) There should be adequate protection against erosion the reclamation area. Ideally, the reclaimed lanshould be bordered by stable sandy beaches but this only possible under highly favourable wave climate conditions. Erosion protection works can be costlyand hence must be accounted for in the capital cosoutlay. There are many forms of erosion protectionmeasures such as revetment, articulated concrete slab/mattress, sea wall, etc. Seawall and other structureswith vertical faces are generally not preferredbecause of the likely occurrence of excessive toscour and lowering of the foreshore leading structural collapse. This is evident in some of th

beach front protection works constructed by localauthorities and municipalities in the past. Anotherimportant consideration in the design of protectionworks is that it should not result in the transferringof the erosion hazard to neighbouring shoreline, classic example is that of groyne construction.

(cl Where the reclamation work is carried out over clayeyfoundation (marine clay in particular), adequateconsiderations must be given to the likely problems construction difficulties and excessive settlement.Marine clay found on the west coast of Malaysia characterised by low shear strength and higcompressivity. Some of the engineering problems thacould be encountered are sand penetration or loss fill material, slip failure and excessive post-construction settlement. In particular, consolidationsettlement in marine clay can extend up to 30 to years. To overcome or minimise these problems, thdesigner should consider various ways of improving thengineering properties of the foundation soil such preloading, soil removal and sand drain techniques.


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(d) Typical coastal reclamation projects require laquantities of sand fill of the right type and qualityFor such projects, offshore sand source is perhaps only feasible and financially viable option.issues of location of borrow site, quantitativeavailability, material suitability, abstraction handling procedures must be suitably addressed. avoid damaging impact on the adjacent shore reclaimed area, the borrow site must be locasufficiently far from the shore. Under the SJohor Coastal Resources Management Study (1991), was recommended that the borrow site must be 1.5offshore or at a depth greater than 10 m, whichevthe further. Sand sourcing investigation isadvised at the time of planning and design and results should be made available to all contractorsparticipating in tender bidding.(e) In recent years, the scientific community increasingly convinced of the threat and potentiaimpact of sea level rise resulting from the greenhouor global warming effects. It is therefore prudthat coastal reclamation project, characterised long service life, should provide adequate safeguaagainst anticipated sea level rise. Such protectioncould be in the form of higher platform level or construction of flood barriers or bunds. At stage, there is still considerable disagreement onlikely magnitude of future sea level rise.preliminary planning purpose, it may be appropriate base on the studies by the United Nations EnvironmeProgram (UNEP, 1988) which suggested allowing fosea level rise of 20 cm by the year 2025 and 100 cthe year 2090.

(f) The planning of infrastructural facilities on reclaimed land must give adequate consideration to problems of local drainage and control of pollutioresulting from human settlement and industrialactivities. The sea should not be regarded asunlimited dumping site for unwanted matters pollutants. Storm discharge system, solid wdisposal and sewerage treatment facilitiesessential infrastructures that should be provided part of the coastal reclamation development.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS


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land form invariably leads to a disturbance on the hydrodynamicregime and the marine eco-system, the magnitude of which is hato predict or quantify. Based on reported experiences locallyand overseas, some of the pertinent environmental impacts are Loss of mangrove/ wetlandsDamage to sensitive marine habitatImpact on coastal processes/ coastal erosionImpedance of natural drainage

(a) Loss of Mangrove/ wetlandsThere is an increasing appreciation by scientists well as the general public that mangroves and wetlandsare valuable resources for their ecological ageomorphic roles. Mangroves help in creating new landcombating erosion and is the breeding ground, nurseryand habitat of various fishes, prawns and crabsMangrove and other wetlands (eg. mudflats, freshwaterswamps, peat swamps, marshes) also form the feeding/breeding sites of many types of wildlife, endangeredmammals, migratory and resident water birds. Coastareclamation over existing mangrove and coastalwetlands invariably leads to the loss of such habitat,causing a disruption to the survival and welfare these species and also the equilibrium of nature. addition to the direct losses over the area reclamation, heavy silt content in coastal waters,disruption of equilibrium of fresh/ saline waterchanges of current flows, etc can also affect tgrowth or survival of mangrove and other coastalvegetation in adjacent coastline or wetlands, thuextending the area of potential damage. The experadvice of marine biologist/ ecologist should thereforebe solicited as part of a comprehensive EIA assessmentfor any major coastal reclamation project.

(b) Damase to Sensitive Marine HabitatMost coastal reclamation works involve pumpinmaterial from offshore seabed into the area to reclaimed using dredger and pipeline system. Suoperations can result in high concentration sediment in coastal waters both at the site reclamation and in the vicinity of the borrow siteThis can affect water quality, especially turbidity.Increase in turbidity reduces light penetration insea water and can result in irreversible damage marine vegetation, fisheries and coral reefs. minimise such effects, it is recommended that suction


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(cl Impact on Coastal Processes/ Coastal ErosionCoastal reclamation changes the planform ofexisting coast. Such changes will affect coastaprocesses by interfering with the natural flow littoral drifts and tidal currents. The seawaprotrusion of the reclamation will result in a groynelike effect on the coastline. Sediments that usually carried by the littoral currents will deposited on the updrift side of the reclamation areOn the downdrift side, the coastline will erode as littoral currents start to pick up sediments again.Coastal reclamation at headlands can change effective length of the headlands. This can affect stability of hooked shaped bays resulting in possibleinitiation of new erosion areas in an existing stablcoastline.Tidal currents can also be affected by changes planform of the shoreline. This is especially the cain lagoons and estuaries. Reclamation of lagoonreduces the volume of water exchanged due to tidaeffects and can cause closure of outlets that maintained by this tidal flux. Changes in tidacurrents in estuaries can effect navigation, watquality and erosion and sediment patterns in rivemouths and adjacent areas.

(d) Impact on hinterland drainageDrainage of coastal areas depends on the distance the point to be drained from the sea and the elevationdifference between them. This determines the hydraulicgradient of the water flowing in the drains. Coastareclamation extends the distance and therefore reducethe hydraulic gradient. This can result in reductionof flood discharge through the drains and can cauflooding in the hinterland.

5. NUMERICAL MODELLING - STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGYCoastal planners and engineers have longed for predictivetools to forecast the response of engineering or natural systedue to changes in system design, layout configuration boundary forces. Until the 1970's, physical modelling is perhapthe only proven technique for this type of investigation.However, the main limitation of physical modelling is that it


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In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made infield of numerical modelling. Increasingly, numerical model conquered new frontiers and has earned itself a respectabposition in the engineering world as the modern day tool for analysis and design of complex hydraulic and coastal engineerinworks. The impact of land reclamation on the coastal processuch as currents, waves, sediment transport, etc are now reapredictable or quantifiable using state-of-the-art compmodels, typical examples of which are MIKE 21 and LITPACK bDanish Hydraulic Institute. Similar advances have also been in the prediction of water quality changes and marine eco-systresponse. Such modern tools necessarily require greexpertise and experience for their usage. This has given to the development and expansion of hydraulic research institutewhich offer specialist services on the application of such mto support practical engineering analysis and design. Appe1 lists some examples of numerical models that are useful coastal engineering applications.

6. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, LEGAL AND OTHER PROVISIONSThe political and administrative jurisdiction of the Government on coastal waters extends to a distance of 3 nautimiles (or 5.5 km) from the shoreline (Mean High Water SprinCoastal reclamation projects therefore usually fall on state and hence require the approval of State Government before can be implemented. An application for land reclamation, compwith layout is submitted to the Land Office which then seeks consolidates the views and comments of the various governm

agencies before submitting it to the State Director of LandMines. The State EXCO is the final approving authority aon the advice and recommendations of the Department of LandMines and with due consideration to the socio-economidesirability of the proposed project.For the larger reclamation projects (defined as excee50 ha), the developer is also required to comply with a fedlaw known as the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act (19Any development activity affected by the Environmental ImAssessment Order 1987 (Prescribed Activities) requires

submission of an EIA Report to the Department of Environment no physical works are allowed to commence until approvclearance is obtained from this Department.Another Federal Government Circular, No. 5/1987 issuedthe Prime Minister's Department requires all developmproposals in the coastal zone to be referred to the CoEngineering Technical Center (resident in Department Irrigation and Drainage) for comment. This circular is intenat instituting preventive measures or regulatory control development activities which could lead to the initiation


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of coastal erosion and besides, it is an administrative circulawithout the backing of legislation. The state authoritiesresponsible for approval of development application is therefornot bound to follow the recommendations of the CoasEngineering Technical Center.From the above discussions, there is sufficient regulatorycontrol on the planning approval of large reclamation projectsA review may be warranted to extend the EIA control to csmaller reclamation projects by including other criteria suchlocation, proximity to existing urban development, existinphysical condition and sensitivity of the marine environmentetc. Similarly, some rethinking may be required on measures bring about greater voluntary compliance with General Circula5/1987 as well as to streamline the administrativeenforcement efficiency of this Circular.The realistic assessment of environmental impact of coastal reclamation projects, however, requires a full complemeof data and information on the coastal environment, as well knowledge of the potential development or future land use in coastal belt. While an individual project may result insignificant impact to the environment, the same may be not of a cluster of projects to be implemented in the same locality.Similarly, the quality and validity of findings byConsultants are also heavily dependent on the amount of available and the time and financial resources available for data collection and study. To overcome the above difficulties,there is a need to carry out integrated coastal zone managemfor all coastal regions, to be discussed next.

7. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENTAs coastal development intensifies, environmental stressincrease proportionately. As a result, coastal pollution,resource degradation or depletion, and resource use conflicts on the rise in Malaysia. At the macro-planning level, it therefore necessary to carry out long term developing plannibased on strategies that will ensure the sustainable and bala

use of land, water and biological resources in the coastal zIn practical terms, this means the preparation and implementationof integrated coastal zone management policies and plans nationwide basis.The development of a coastal zone management plan involva multi-disciplinary approach. It should address issues suchthe physical environment, resource inventory, environmentasensitivity, demand orlanduse projection, socio-economic settiand other factors which are of importance in arriving at


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comprehensive coastal resources management plan for the SoJohor region to achieve the twin goals of economic developmenand coastal resource conservation. The management plan examina host of coastal concerns such as mangrove and coral esystems, fisheries resources, coastal pollution, coastal erosioncoastal sand mining and resource use conflicts. The findings the Study are currently under consideration by the Johor StGovernment for implementation under the Sixth Malaysia Plan. is hoped that the success of this pilot project will spearheasimilar planning efforts in other parts of the country.

8. CONCLUSIONSCoastal land reclamation to yield valuable land space a variety of uses has been carried out for some time in Malaysand is expected to be on the upward trend. The success of sprojects depends on sound engineering practices and adequa

attention to potential environmental impacts. Engineeringconsiderations for the planning and design of coastal reclamationprojects include layout planning, simulation studies, protectionagainst erosion, geotechnical considerations, sand sourcingallowance for sea level rise, etc. Greater efforts are requirein the field of adaptive and basic research to upgrade loskill and technology for the planning and design of coastreclamation works. Modern technique such as numerical modellinholds great promise for future applications.Coastal land reclamation projects can result in significant

impact on the coastal environment such as loss of mangrove wetlands, damage to sensitive marine habitat, coastal erosion impedance of hinterland drainage. Planners and designers shogive adequate consideration to avoid or minimise such potentialimpacts and implement the necessary mitigative measures, whrequired in a proactive manner.The current legislation and institution mechanism regulation and control of coastal reclamation activities adequate. The existing mechanism can be further strengthened establishing the necessary information and planning data base

enhance decision making capability. Realistic assessment impact of development activities in the coastal zone requires total, integrated approach with due consideration to resourcavailability, system limitation and realistic projection future demand or landuse. For this purpose, it is recommendthat comprehensive coastal zone management plans be formulatefor all coastal areas in the interest of sustainable economdevelopment and environmental preservation.


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REFERENCES :Data' Ir. Shahrizaila bin Abdullah, II Coastal ErosionManagement in Malaysia" Keynote Address delivered IEM/ICE Joint Conference 0; Coastal Engineering in NationalDevelopment, 4-6th March 1991, Kuala LumpurEconomic Planning Unit, Malaysia, I1 National CoastaErosion Study : Phase 1, Report submitted by StanleyConsultants, Inc., Jurutera Konsultant (S.E.A) Pte. Ltand Moffat & Nichol Engineers, to the Government Malaysia, September 1985.Muhammad Akhir Othman & Ir. Neo Tong Lee, tlCoastal ZoManagement - A Necessity in Malaysia", Paper presented Regional Seminar on Coastal and Offshore Engineering, 9- 11,1991, Kuala Terengganu.Pui Syn Kong, 'I Coastal Conditions and Practices Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darulssalam- A BrieReview", Paper presented in IEM/ICE Joint Conference Coastal Engineering in National Development, 4-6th Mar1991, Kuala LumpurCh'ng Kim Looi, II Developing An Integrated CoastaResources Management Plan For South Johor", Paper presentedin IEM/ICE Joint Conference on Coastal Engineering National Development, 4-6th March 1991, Kuala LumpurUnited Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Project Documefor Socio-economic Impacts and Policy Responses ResultingFrom Climate Change : A Study in Southeast Asia, May 19


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Appendix 1Numerical Models for Coastal Engineering

Type of Models Name DevelopedbY____________-__--------------------------------------------------

Two dimensional depthintegrated hydrodynamic modelWave propagation model

Add on modules for sedimenttransport and pollution study.

One-line shoreline evolutionmodel

Two Dimensional vertical crossshore profile change model

Random plume dispersion model

MIKE2 1HDTRISULATIDEFLOW-2DMIKE20NSENDECHISWAJONSEYOUTRAYINRAYPORTRAYM21ADM21STPARTICLESUSTIMSUTRENCHDELWAQPOLLFLOW-2DMUDFLOW-2DLITOT/LITLINUNIBEST-CLBEACH-PLANLITCROSS/LITPROFUNIBEST-TCNEARSHOREPLUME-RW

DHIDHLHRLDHIDHLDHLHRLHRLHRLHRLDHIDHIDHIDHLDHLDHLHRLHRLDHIDHLHRL

DHIDHLHRLHRL

DHI - Danish Hydraulic Institute, DenmarkDHL - Delft Hydraulic Laboratory, NetherlandsHR - Hydraulic Research Limited, United'Kingdom.

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