Innovating for Resilience: How AECOM and Singapore are Building a Water-Secure Future

Asian Water: Singapore’s Four National Taps (local catchments, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water)  strategy has been widely recognised for its resilience. Can you tell us more about this?

Dr Stinson: Yes, certainly. I view it as a very strong global model, especially given that most countries depend on climate-sensitive water sources, such as rainfall and snowmelt, which are increasingly threatened by changing weather patterns. Compounding this is the fact that only about 3% of the world’s water is freshwater.  With a growing global population, the World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages — a deeply concerning outlook given our heavy reliance on these vulnerable sources. 

Singapore, being a small landmass with its vibrant growing population and economy in the region, has limited capacity to capture, store and treat rainfall as its only source of water supply. Recognising their limited capacity, Singapore integrates four distinct sources — maximising rainwater capture, importing water, reusing water through NEWater and investing in desalination — to create a water supply system that is resilient and adaptable. Each tap serves a purpose, managing peak demand to provide climate-independent solutions. It is a global best practice and a powerful example of future-focused infrastructure planning.

Asian Water: From AECOM’s perspective, why is this diversification critical for a water-scarce, high-density city like Singapore?

Dr Stinson: Singapore is a prime example of a high-density urban environment where growing water demand increasingly exceeds the natural supply, compounded by limited space for water storage and rainwater capture. The multiple taps are a diversified strategy that allows the city to manage uncertainty – whether it is drought, economic growth or climate shocks – by switching between sources. That kind of flexibility is key to long-term urban resilience.

Asian Water: Densely populated cities across Asia (including Singapore) are facing a common threat – rising sea levels and storm surges caused by more frequent and more intense rainfalls, and Singapore is preparing to protect over 300km of its coastline with a Coastal Protection Bill and USD5 billion in funding. What are some global best practices or other innovative ways that AECOM believes Singapore can adapt or lead with?

Dr Stinson: I think Singapore has taken a very holistic and integrated approach to its island planning. Their “City in Nature”, “Green Economy”, “Sustainable Living” and “Resilient Future” are the four tenets that Singapore has prioritised – from water and food resiliencies, coastal protection, a good green urban environment to live in, and a clean energy transition – and these priorities are for long-term resiliency for the population and for continued success and growth. 

Together with Singapore, AECOM is supporting the country’s coastal resiliency through adaptive hybrid coastal solutions – blending grey (seawalls) and green (mangroves or marshes) infrastructure. It allows us to build strong seawalls, for instance, alongside green nature-based solutions. This is a great way to protect against storm surges while also allowing nature to continue to do its natural job.

AECOM also focuses on flexible and adaptive pathways – building what is needed now but allowing for future expansion. This helps prepare the community for future climate impacts. The nature-based solution, which is part of our hybrid solution, is where we not only protect the natural mangroves and marshes, but we also add them to buffer zones across the city. Green spaces support the “sponge city” concept, allowing the area to absorb rainfall and reduce flood risk.

Singapore demonstrates real leadership by embedding resilience into long-term policy and land-use planning frameworks. It goes beyond good practice — it reflects a deep understanding of what’s critical to the country’s future. 

Asian Water: Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Manila face similar coastal threats. What can they learn from Singapore’s model, and how is AECOM facilitating knowledge-sharing or joint initiatives across the region? Are there regional partnerships or pilot projects underway?

Dr Stinson: We’re actively supporting flood modeling and resilience planning in the Philippines, Vietnam, and elsewhere — often in collaboration with the World Bank and ADB. Cities like Manila and Da Nang benefit from scenario modeling that informs infrastructure priorities. By simulating flood risks and surge risks, we can use the same principles that we talked about earlier to be better informed in the planning of adaptive infrastructure allowing us to better plan where and when to put them.

But not every city has Singapore’s resources, so community engagement becomes essential. We empower local communities with early warning systems, training and low-cost flood protection strategies. It’s not just about infrastructure — it’s about helping people protect their homes and livelihoods. The community becomes a part of creating their own community protection. And Singapore is now adopting these community-based approaches too, which I find incredibly powerful. Infrastructure alone isn’t enough — you also need to educate the community on how they can protect one another. 

Asian Water: Infrastructure is only one part of the equation. Why is it equally important to promote sustainability in the built environment—from design to operations—and how can behavioral change be encouraged at the community level?

Dr Stinson: As I mentioned, even the best infrastructure needs ongoing maintenance and active public participation. Whether it’s green roofs, mangroves or floodable parks, these solutions need care — and communities play a key role in sustaining them.

It is a mindset shift from “doing something for people” to “doing something with people.” Engaged residents can alert officials when systems aren’t working, and in turn, cities can adapt based on feedback. It’s a partnership. Infrastructure and community engagement together are greater than the sum of their parts.

Asian Water: What successful examples has AECOM seen in Asia where community involvement made a real difference in climate resilience or water sustainability?

Dr Stinson: Singapore is a standout, especially with its education efforts—from primary school children learning about water resilience to community groups helping manage green spaces. Another great example is the Dasha River rehabilitation in Shenzhen, China. Once heavily polluted and flood-prone, the river was transformed through public engagement and ecological design. The community contributed feedback during planning, and the project incorporated sponge city principles — such as sustainable drainage and flood control — while creating green public spaces. It’s a model of how environmental renewal and community engagement can go hand in hand.

And interestingly, the West is learning from this. Cities like New York are moving from just building tunnels to incorporating nature-based solutions. Resource constraints in Asia have driven innovation, and now that’s influencing wealthier regions. Necessity really is the mother of invention.

Asian Water: How is AECOM leveraging technology — such as predictive modeling or smart infrastructure — to strengthen coastal resilience and flood mitigation in dense urban environments? And what role does data play in supporting adaptive planning and long-term investments in climate infrastructure?

Dr Stinson: Digital technology is embedded in everything we do. From early planning, we use LIDAR, satellite data, IoT sensors, and predictive analytics to identify risks. Then, we apply digital twins —virtual models that simulate infrastructure performance — for optimisation across design, construction, operations and even maintenance.

For example, in a treatment plant, we can reduce energy and chemical use by simulating real-time operating conditions. This science-based, data-driven approach results in lower carbon footprints and longer-lasting infrastructure that performs better and costs less. It’s not just technology — it’s part of our DNA at AECOM.

Asian Water: On another note, in the interview we had last year with you, one of the projects that AECOM has executed in Singapore is the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant (KMEDP). Can you provide the latest update on this project and how it has helped the country in achieving sustainable drinking water supply? 

Dr Stinson: It’s fully operational and thriving. Opened in 2020, it is capable of supplying water to over 200,000 households. Its unique dual-mode design — treating either reservoir water or seawater — offers unmatched flexibility and cost efficiency.

It is also a great example of green-grey integration. The rooftop is a public park, yet underneath, it provides critical infrastructure. It has received the ABC Waters Gold certification for sustainable design, and Singaporeans can be proud of the world-class innovation right in their backyard.

Asian Water: Finally, what is AECOM’s long-term vision for water and coastal resilience in Asia? And how does the company intend to contribute to shaping national and regional strategies?

Dr Stinson: We aim to help cities establish self-sustaining water loops — using every drop efficiently. That means capturing rainfall, reusing water and integrating natural systems. We promote digital ecosystems, nature-based solutions and community-infrastructure synergy. 

We also champion green financing and public-private models, so cities are not solely dependent on government funds. And we support inclusive coastal planning, ensuring resilience strategies benefit everyone. Our “Future of Infrastructure” global report, available in five languages, shares all these insights. It’s our commitment to global learning and leadership.

From Singapore to Shenzhen, AECOM is helping shape the future of water and climate resilience across Asia. With technology, policy innovation, and community partnership, the message is clear: resilience is not just built — it’s co-created.