A study has revealed that 4,198 hectares of land were reclaimed across the Maldives between 2000 and 2024, with 71 percent of this total concentrated in Male' Atoll.
The research paper, titled "Land Reclamation in the Maldives: Trends and Impacts from 2000 to 2024," was published in the Maldives Journal of Engineering and Technology on May 28. The paper compiles comprehensive data on land reclamation projects undertaken throughout the country during this period.
The study analyzed data from 109 reclamation projects, of which 85 have been completed and 19 are currently ongoing. An additional five projects have been planned but are yet to commence.
Reclamation work was carried out on 69 inhabited islands across 18 atolls. This indicates that a land reclamation project has been implemented on one out of every three inhabited islands in the Maldives.
While a total of 4,198 hectares were reclaimed, 71 percent of this land was created in Male' Atoll. This is largely attributed to government-led initiatives aimed at expanding land area within the Greater Male' Region.
Atolls with the highest volume of land reclamation
- Thaa Atoll – 332.3 hectares
- Addu Atoll – 284.67 hectares
- Haa Alif Atoll – 198.1 hectares
- Dhaalu Atoll – 167 hectares
- Shaviyani Atoll – 127.54 hectares
The lowest volume of reclamation was recorded in Laamu Atoll, where only 15 hectares of land were created over the past 25 years.
While 90 percent of all reclamation projects were extensions of existing inhabited islands, 40 percent of the total reclaimed land area consists of entirely artificial islands.
For the purpose of the study, researchers examined the location, region, type, intended use, current status, commencement year, and total area of each project. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were utilized to map the projects and analyze spatial changes.
The research paper noted challenges in gathering data for projects prior to 2010 due to the limited availability of satellite imagery and incomplete documentation.
The paper further highlighted that land reclamation in the Maldives often proceeds without a cohesive strategy, citing the absence of a national development or spatial planning framework.
The study was authored by two Maldivians, Hussain Ziyath and Fathimath Shanna, alongside Australian national Eden Rigo. Ziyath is an architect, urbanist, and planner, while Shanna serves as an urban planning consultant at the Ministry of Infrastructure. Eden is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Development Studies at Oxford University.
