MEGAPROJECT

CASE STUDY: PENANG SOUTH ISLAND RECLAMATION (PSR) MEGAPROJECT

Project owner and PDP

Penang State Government owned this project. The Project delivery partner (PDP) is SRS CONSORTIUM which consists of GAMUDA, Ideal Property, and Loh Phoy Yen Holdings. SRS manages the two mega projects, PSR and PTMP and the State Government pays SRS a 6% fee based on the construction cost PSR (RM11billion for reclamation works)

Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP)

The PSR was to fund the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The reclaimed islands will belong fully to State Government but most of the land will be auctioned off to fund PTMP so the transport plan could be entirely self- funded

Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and Affordable Housing

PSR is assumed to solve rising property prices and shortage of quality affordable housing.. PSR also planned for the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone expansion and reduce development pressure in George Town.

Background of PSR megaproject

The benefits of PSR

New Urban Land : 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares)

the three islands bring together mixed-use districts of 15,000 to 18,000 residents across 50 to 500 acres, and a continuous 50 to 100m buffer around each district, establishing habitat connectivity and supporting edge ecologies in reserves, parks, corridors and urban plazas.

Creating Jobs opportunity & high income living

To become a high income state, embracing the digital age and industry 4.0. Creating more diversification in tourism, agriculture and manufacturing drivers.

Tourism Destination

Targeting average tourism spending as well as new international high-value destination products

Attracts investors to fund the PTMP projects

Invest in the built environment to improve resilience, to address car dependency and urban sprawl and also to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP)

No Poverty Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Reduce Inequalities Sustainable Cities and Communities

Responsible Consumption and Production

Climate Action Life Below Water Life On Land Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

J. W. S. Zeng, 2020)

Partnerships

a mixed development project. “a playground for city planners and architects to give their best design”

continuation and expansion of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ)

Penang South Islands International Masterplan Competition was launch in November 2019, and recently, the winner was announced in August 2020. BIG, hijjas + ramboll win competition , an international architecture firm in collaborations with local well-known architect. (Penang2030)

The winning proposal of the PSR masterplan

“biodivercity” The three ‘the channels’, ‘the mangroves’, and ‘the laguna’. complementary phases of construction: in phase 1, active Biodivercity” will have an integrated system of localized water destinations include a wave pool and technology park; in phase 2, a civic resources, renewable energy and waste management, tied altogether in heart establishes governance and research institutions in the area; and in a human-made ecosystem. rather than design a city for cars, we phase 3, a cultural coast builds upon the heritage and vibrant creative designed biodivercity for waterways, rail and different kinds of personal energy of penang’s george town to create a regional and international mobility, forming a multi-modal environment of movement. draw. THE CONCEPT

“urban mosaic”

It will provide residents with approximately 4.6 km of public beaches, 600 acres of parks, and a 25 km waterfront. The project is conceived as an urban mosaic of three diverse islands with a clear focus on livability, environmental sustainability, and social and economic inclusivity. The three islands bring together mixed-use districts of 15,000 to 18,000 residents across 50 to 500 acres, and a continuous 50 to 100m buffer around each district, establishing habitat connectivity and supporting edge ecologies in reserves, parks, corridors and urban plazas.

Meanwhile, newly established marine habitats support biodiversity underwater by providing spawning grounds for native species, and recreational points and hatcheries support the local communities along Penang’s southern coast.

Eight smaller islands form a miniature archipelago, where floating, stilted and terraced housing takes advantage of the natural setting

The phases of construction: 1- active destinations include a wave pool and technology park; 2- a civic heart establishes governance and research institutions in the area; 3- a cultural coast builds upon the heritage and vibrant creative energy of Penang’s George Town

Forest reserves are connected to coastal beaches through a web of ecological corridors. within humanpopulated areas, animals are given safe passage through the continuous canopy and waterways, and within natural habitats, people can safely access elevated boardwalks.

Environmental consideration

The greatest concern on the coastal land reclamation project is the impact on the natural environment. Experienced engineers have no difficulty in designing and constructing coastal land reclamation works but few can claim the complete mitigation solution to ensure there is NO IMPACT ON THE ENVIROMENT.

Damage to sensitive marine eco-system and habitat

The reclamation projects leads to disturbance on the hydrodynamic regime and the marine eco-system by pumping material from offshore seabed into the are to be reclaimed using dredger and pipeline system. The magnitude of the impact are hardly predicted and quantify. Foreshore area richest (species and numbers) in plankton & annelids (marine worms)

Loss of mangrove / wetlands

Mangroves held in creating new land, combating erosion and is the breeding ground for various fishes, prawn and crabs

S. Abdullah & H. K Loi (1992)

The ugly truth……

#penangtolaktambak

JEOPARDIZE THE FOOD SECURITY

CLIMATE CHANGE

SOCIAL - ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE LOCAL PEOPLE

FISHERMEN LOST THEIR MAIN INCOME (Especially the small-scale fisheries )

DECONSTRUCTION OF THE COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEM

CHANGES OF NATURAL GEOGRAPHY

INCOME GAP BETWEEN POOR AND RICH

COASTAL POLLUTION

HIGH IMPACT ON CARBON EMISSION

UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME FOR LOCAL

The reason of objections of PSR megaproject

The impacts of sand-mining will also be felt in Perak.

The deep seabed (benthic zone) will be dredged and destroyed. As in the northern reclamation, the fishermen in Penang and an additional 6,080 fishermen in Perak will be pulling out mud and rocks, tearing holes in their fishing nets.

This reclamation will destroy the richest fishery in Penang.

In view of rapid fish depletion worldwide, this coastal fish bank is our food security. It supplies local needs as well as Penang’s food and tourism industry. Once destroyed, seafood prices will hike beyond what the average Penangite can afford

Penang’s pristine southern beaches will be ruined The livelihoods of 4,817 inshore fishermen are at

The coastal environment of Permatang Damar Laut, stake

Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Kumbar will be wrecked by These fishermen have staged repeated protests, the reclamation and pollution. Locals will lose their biggest being 1,500 fishermen from 14 associations in recreational beaches and seaviews. Penang’s ecoPantai Sungai Batu, Teluk Kumbar (Berita Harian, tourism reputation will be tainted by this irresponsible 13.12.2015), the most recent in early 2019. Fishermen’s project. experience with the STP2 northern reclamation shows that they have not been well protected by the Penang

Coastal habitats and Life Below Water (SDG 14) will government, despite reassurances.

be devastated

The nesting patterns of the IUCN-listed "vulnerable" Olive

Ridley Turtle (Penyu Lipas) and the playground of the The RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin and the Indo-Pacific (PTMP) is a poor excuse for reclamation. Finless Porpoise will be disrupted. Contamination is likely to reach the coral-rich Pulau Kendi. Marine biodiversity for miles around will be stressed and depleted. The reclamation and land sales are purportedly a means to pay for the implementation of the PTMP to ease traffic congestion. But the present version of the PTMP is fundamentally flawed, consisting of a slew of The project is environmentally reckless in the face of climate crisis expensive projects rather than viable, integrated While claiming to target 40% reduction, the reclamation project will solutions. generate an additional 3.2 million tons of carbon emissions annually (source, 18 Nasihat, 18 April 2019)

OTHERS RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN PENANG.

1) QUEENS WATERFRONT AT BAYAN BARU.

A new commercial development by IDEAL Property Group is located just right beside of Queensbay Mall. With a total gross development value (GDV) of RM2.15 billion, the development will comprise an 11.74-acre residential component known as Queens Residences, a 6.1-acre marina, a waterfront promenade known as Queens Waterfront Promenade, the Queens Sports Centre and an international school.

Artist’s Impression by Ideal Property Group

OTHERS RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN PENANG.

2) SRI TANJUNG PINANG AT TANJONG TOKONG.

This is among the biggest reclamation projects in Penang done by Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) through Tanjung Pinang Development. Starting with Sri Tanjung Pinang 1 ( STP1) which was completed in 2005.

Then is continue with phase 2 of the development which is Sri Tanjung Pinang 2 (STP2) which are yet achieve their target completion date on 2019.

OTHERS RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN PENANG.

The proposed reclamation development Land reclamation project for Gurney Wharf are still in progress.

Photo taken on March 2019 (retrieve from TPD website)