A masterplan to improve living conditions and reduce flood risk in Borneo

In Sarawak in the Malaysian part of Borneo, Semariang Pinggur lies along the boundary of the Kuching Wetlands National Park, a saline mangrove system home to unique flora and fauna, including many species of fish and prawns. While its proximity to the city of Kuching and other surrounding national parks gives it significant potential for commerce, tourism, education, and recreation, the location close to the wetlands also entails a risk of flooding.

The Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) has assigned a team of consultants from Ramboll and Henning Larsen to develop a sustainable and resilient urban transformation masterplan for this 300-hectare area. Together, they are planning a resilient, nature-first development that preserves the local ecosystem and promotes community.

In recent years, the arrival of several groups of informal settlers into the area has led to challenges in maintaining peaceful coexistence between people and nature. These settlers live in modest conditions without access to formal waste management, water, and sanitation systems. As a result, local ecosystems have been disrupted, with waste accumulation in water bodies increasing fish mortality, and mangrove clearing causing the loss of natural habitats and fish spawning areas.

The urban transformation masterplan aims to address this by improving living conditions for both settlers and formal residents, formalising future growth, reducing flood risk, and unlocking the area’s potential for eco-tourism, education, and recreation – all while preserving its biodiversity and natural resources.

Ramboll hosted a ‘Vision Workshop’ in January 2025, bringing together key authorities and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and gather input from all relevant parties. During the workshop, participants agreed to prioritise water, climate, and local people as the main guiding principles.

One of the key visions was social inclusion, prioritising the integration and upgrading of current neighbourhoods with low-density, low-rise development. Biodiversity was also centred in plans to create a unique heritage-driven waterfront and preserve the mangroves and ecology, while providing opportunities for ecotourism and a planned UNESCO 2026 Geopark.

The group identified green areas to be maintained or restored, key public transport routes including a bridge connection, and key low-impact public routes. They also chose the areas that would be prioritised for low-rise development and ecotourism, as well as water access routes for both tourists and the public.

Ramboll is now using the insights gathered from the workshop to develop a draft masterplan which will include urban zoning, land use, a catalogue of blue-green water management solutions, and technical infrastructure memos.

Both the workshop and the ongoing process are informed by Ramboll’s ‘Water Design Stream’ approach, a philosophy which uses water as a guide to help facilitate design. The project team is also drawing on experience from a similar project in the Bukit Assek area of Sibu City, also being implemented by the LCDA.