What is Land Reclamation?

The term “land reclamation” is used to describe two different activities. In the first sense, it involves modifying wetlands or waterways to convert them into usable land, usually for the purpose of development. It can also be a process in which damaged land is restored to its natural state. In both cases, the term is used to refer to some sort of process that is designed to fundamentally alter the characteristics of a piece of land to achieve a desired end goal.

The practice of filling in wetlands and waterways to make more land is ancient. Humans tend to settle near water, since they need it to survive, and because waterways can be used as a method of transportation for people and goods. As human settlements grow, the pressure on the existing land also grows, and people may start to expand outwards by filling in the surrounding area. Land reclamation has historically been accomplished with garbage and other landfill material, making reclaimed areas highly unstable and prone to developing sinkholes.

Reclaimed land can also be quite expensive, since it is located close to the water in areas that are appealing to many settlers. People may be willing to pay a premium for reclaimed land, especially if they used to live and do business by the shoreline and the reclamation has pushed their property inland. In some regions of the world, this process happened so long ago that people are not aware that they are living and doing business on land that was created by artificial means.

Land reclamation is also used to repair environmental damage. For example, if a beach becomes severely eroded, beach nourishment may be used to restore the beach, a method designed to preserve the existing natural environment. Land reclamation is also used in regions that experience desertification, with the goal of turning arid land into farmland. Regions like Southern California were settled after reclamation made the land usable, while in parts of Africa and Asia where the desert is expanding, the process is used to keep human communities intact.

Environmentalists use a version to repair land that has been subjected to some form of environmental damage. For example, heavily polluted land may be put on a land reclamation plan that is designed to remove the pollutants and promote the re-establishment of native plant and animal species. Damaged wetlands, including those that have been filled to make usable land, can also be reclaimed through a slow environmental remediation process.

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from oceans, riverbeds, or lake beds. It's typically done to expand urban areas, create new agricultural lands, or restore degraded ecosystems. According to the United Nations, this practice can also support economic development, though it must be balanced with environmental considerations.

Land reclamation can significantly alter local ecosystems, often leading to habitat loss and changes in local hydrology. The World Wildlife Fund reports that such projects can threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of people who depend on natural resources. Careful planning and environmental assessments are crucial to mitigate these impacts.

Notable examples include the Palm Islands in Dubai, which added 520 kilometers of new coastline, and the Netherlands' Zuiderzee Works, which reclaimed 1,650 square kilometers of land. These projects showcase human ingenuity but also highlight the need for sustainable practices in large-scale land alterations.

Reclaimed land can be engineered to be stable and safe for construction and habitation, but it often requires extensive groundwork and maintenance. For instance, in places like Singapore, which has increased its land area by over 20% through reclamation, careful engineering and use of geotextiles help ensure stability.

Methods include infilling with materials like sand or mud, building dykes, and then draining the enclosed area, as well as more modern techniques like hydrodynamic dredging. Each method is chosen based on the specific requirements of the project and the characteristics of the site.

Land reclamation can be sustainable if it includes environmental impact assessments, uses non-toxic materials, and incorporates ecological restoration. The International Union for Conservation of Nature emphasizes the importance of integrating habitat creation to support wildlife and maintain ecological balance in reclaimed areas.