In the 19th century, colonial plantation resulted in extensive deforestation, with 90% of Singapore’s natural forests cleared by the 1880s. By the beginning of the 20th century, overpopulation and urbanization took hold, notably along the south coast where swamps were drained to make way for residential, port, and industrial developments. Approximately 300 hectares of land surrounding the Singapore River were reclaimed during the colonial era, reflecting intensive dredging and land reclamation efforts. From 1942 to 1945, Singapore experienced the upheavals of World War II and the Japanese Occupation, resulting in a weakened British Empire. Consequently, this tumultuous period imposed a break on Singapore's land reclamation projects.