PENANG BAY HARMONY MENDORONG - MENYAMBUNG - MELINDUNGI
In 2040, we envision the waterfronts of Penang as a livable, attractive and just environment, where everyone can enjoy the breeze of the sea freely and where new public spaces enable residents to meet and interact with each other. These waterfronts not only connect the people but also stimulate the development of new ideas, where there is space for innovation and experimentation. Last but not least, these waterfronts also address the challenges of climate change and pollution with the help of nature-based solutions. In our vision, the most important issues of Penang are described which determine its long-term successfulness in the future. These issues are separated into three topics: Stimulate, Engage and Protect. Yet as you, Dear Reader will see, the solutions proposed in these three topics reinforce and support one another to create a socially, economically and climate-resilient future environment, what every resident can enjoy.
POTENTIALS
STIMULATE - ENGAGE - PROTECT
industrial areas (high-tech / industry, manufacturing) concentration of universities main road structure main tran lines agricultural land current waste management facilities
population density (highest/second highest) public transport travel time forests accessible waterfronts in urban areas average property price main road/railway structure
heat stress (highest / second highest) air pollution (highest / second highest) areas prone to flooding rivers with possible pollution from industries beach erosion areas affected by sea level rise seawater pollution (bad or moderate / good quality)
ECONOMY
SOCIETY
ENVIRONMENT
Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism are the three main pillars of the Northern Economic Corridor Region. During the pandemic, it has become clear that agriculture and even manufacturing are more resilient than tourism. Overtourism also negatively affects the livability of cities, therefore in this research we focus on the development of the other two sectors.
Penang’s population more than doubled since the 1970s, which together with the impact of rapid urbanisation drives the need for social change.
Penang has experienced significant growth in industrialisation and urbanisation since the 1970s, which resulted in several environmental challenges. These challenges will be further intensified by the effects of climate change.
The most important identified issues with the current structure of the manufacturing and agriculture sectors in Penang are: •
overdependence of the manufacturing sector on global processes, which was proven during the pandemic
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disparity in workplaces and income possibilities between the island and the mainland, because there are more high-tech manufacturing and business services on the island while there are more industry-related activities, agriculture, fishery on the mainland
The most important identified issues are: •
imbalance between supply and demand for affordable housing due to land scarcity on the island, which has driven property prices up, this correlates with the income levels of the residents, which are lower on the mainland
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inefficient public transport due to incomprehensive connectivity and coverage, with travelling times many times higher than commute by car
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the untapped creative potential of George Town, which in line with the need for increased innovation
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land and labour constraints, vulnerability to climate change of the agriculture sector although it has high potential; George Town’s role as a food capital, plus the rise of vegan/vegetarian culture further underpins its importance
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inefficient organic waste recycling, although it accounts for 40% of overall waste
STIMULATE - mendorong Manufacturing becomes more resilient and less dependent on global trends if it is focused on local problems. To achieve this, public authorities can set collective challenges, define long-term plans and connect partners for innovation. George Town has several already available creative assets, through which it can be a centre where new ideas are developed. To reduce disparity and to utilise its strategic location, Butterworth can become a centre for experimentation, where these new ideas are further developed. As a solution to the challenges in the agricultural sector, we propose the development of urban farming techniques and local organic waste collection to form a closed-loop cycle at the south of George Town, which is an ideal location because of its proximity to consumers. In Butterworth, the transformation of agricultural waste to biomass should be supported, which can be further used by local industry.
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The most pressing environmental and climate change-related issues are: •
heat stress in built-up areas, the average temperature in Penang has increased by 0.09˚C per year in the last 20 years, with the mainland experiencing higher average temperatures than the island
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increasing marine water temperature, which results in increased fish mortality
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flooding, which is caused by an increase in paved areas and due to the rising frequency of sudden storms and quantity of rainfall, which additionally raise the risks of such events
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air pollution, although air quality has improved since 2012, it is still moderate on 20.2% and unhealthy on 1.3% of the time
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moderate river water quality, due to industrial effluent and public apathy
the condition of open green spaces in the urban areas is often not inviting, for example, odorous riverbanks and trash filled seashore
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moderate seawater quality, where only 3 stations reported good water quality
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sea-level rise
lack of spaces to encourage interaction between different segments of society with new developments
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coastal erosion, the increase in sudden storm events together with the expected sea-level rise cause increased coastal erosion Penang Island
an increasing number of cars, which cause increasing congestions, and road safety is a major issue in Penang with an increasing number of accidents caused by cars limited access to nature and waterfronts, the current open space target of Penang is 4m2/ person, while 9m2/person is recommended by the WHO
ENGAGE - menghubung The current car- and private investment-oriented approach to urban development lead to inefficient and polluting urban growth. We propose to reconfigure the relationship between natural and urban areas while increasing livability and accessibility for every resident. To do so, a human-centred approach is necessary, where connectivity is improved through increased social interaction and by efficient public and shared transport systems. Livability is raised by improved access to nature, where plazas, sidewalks and trails tie the natural landscape with civic, cultural and entertainment spaces allowing the community to connect with recreational areas and with each other.
PROTECT - melindungi Heat-stress, air-, noise- and water pollution-related illnesses and injury from floods and storms impact on mental health due to loss of property and life. Learning from the past, we understand the ambition of Penang to address these issues in an effective and long-term manner. Consequently, we propose to use naturebased solutions. These offer an adequate and cost-effective answer to enhance ecosystems and their capacity for renewal while producing societal, environmental and economical benefits as well. For example, nature-based solutions help to improve general human wellbeing.
Visualisation of the future of Penang
THE TWO DISTINCT WATERFRONT WORKS TOGETHER MASTERPLAN
KEY CONCEPTS
STIMULATE - ENGAGE - PROTECT PROTECT melindungi
Making room for water/urban pores (against flooding) Cleaning water (against pollution) Adding urban green (against heat island effect)
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STIMULATE mendorong
ENGAGE
menghubung
Adaptive re-use & conservation of vacant heritage at the George Town
Infrastructure Development, Safety & Cleanliness
Agricultural business (fisheries/ aquaculture, urban farming)
Green and blue infrastructure connectivity, Staying healthy lifestyle
Transit-oriented, mixed use development of industry 4.0
Combat social segregation, equal access, affordable homes
DIFFERENT CHARACTERS
We propose a more participatory approach of stakeholder engagement where the civic society, public and private organisations are in sync with each other to develop and maintain the proposed interventions. Explained through the relationship diagrams you will see various stakeholders involved in the process in each intervention zoom in and their co-creative relationship. This adds to the adaptive capacity of the strategies and enhances the mutual benefits, both economically and socially.
BUTTERWORTH - GEORGE TOWN - JELUTONG
In 20 years, Butterworth is envisioned to be Penang’s largest transit hub which would accommodate technological experiment and innovation, testing the ideas which were initiated in the neighboring creative promenade. The area will contribute to developing prototypes and sustainable cutting edge technologies to solve pressing urban challenges. Such technical breakthroughs can then be exported, and the profits can be channelled back into the local economy. It will be a highly mixed used environment,with dense living and experimental working places and integrated to the sustainable transport hub. The new technologies used by urban manufacturing have become cleaner over time and enable the development of neighbourhoods where manufacturing, residential and transportation functions can all be in the same development. This new face of urban manufacturing helps redefine employment and foster inclusive, connected cities. The connectivity with George Town is increased through several ferry routes and the new LRT line planned as shown in the masterplan. The new mobility network focuses on sustainable public transport to provide fast and hustle free service between the two sides.
BUTTERWORTH LAB
To address the growing problem of heat stress in Butterworth, we propose to increase the amount of accessible green spaces in this newly developed neighborhood and to use covered pathways similarly to the traditional houses in George Town to protect people from the scorching sun and provide shade and comfort. To further improve the sustainability, the existing spatial features are integrated into the design of the walkable and accessible waterfront with local markets, marina and as well as the adaptive re-use of the old oil tanks as a recreational feature in the parks.
In 20 years, Butterworth is envisioned to be Penang’s largest transit hub which would accommodate technological experiment and innovation, testing the ideas which were initiated in the neighboring creative promenade. The area will contribute to developing prototypes and sustainable cutting edge technologies to solve pressing urban challenges. Such technical breakthroughs can then be exported, and the profits can be channelled back into the local economy. It will be a highly mixed used environment,with dense living and experimental working places and integrated to the sustainable transport hub. The new technologies used by urban manufacturing have become cleaner over time and enable the development of neighbourhoods where manufacturing, residential and transportation functions can all be in the same development. This new face of urban manufacturing helps redefine employment and foster inclusive, connected cities. The connectivity with George Town is increased through several ferry routes and the new LRT line planned as shown in the masterplan. The new mobility network focuses on sustainable public transport to provide fast and hustle free service between the two sides.
CREATIVE GEORGETOWN
To address the growing problem of heat stress in Butterworth, we propose to increase the amount of accessible green spaces in this newly developed neighborhood and to use covered pathways similarly to the traditional houses in George Town to protect people from the scorching sun and provide shade and comfort. To further improve the sustainability, the existing spatial features are integrated into the design of the walkable and accessible waterfront with local markets, marina and as well as the adaptive re-use of the old oil tanks as a recreational feature in the parks.
In 20 years, Butterworth is envisioned to be Penang’s largest transit hub which would accommodate technological experiment and innovation, testing the ideas which were initiated in the neighboring creative promenade. The area will contribute to developing prototypes and sustainable cutting edge technologies to solve pressing urban challenges. Such technical breakthroughs can then be exported, and the profits can be channelled back into the local economy. It will be a highly mixed used environment,with dense living and experimental working places and integrated to the sustainable transport hub. The new technologies used by urban manufacturing have become cleaner over time and enable the development of neighbourhoods where manufacturing, residential and transportation functions can all be in the same development. This new face of urban manufacturing helps redefine employment and foster inclusive, connected cities. The connectivity with George Town is increased through several ferry routes and the new LRT line planned as shown in the masterplan. The new mobility network focuses on sustainable public transport to provide fast and hustle free service between the two sides.
JELUTONG-BAY FARM
To address the growing problem of heat stress in Butterworth, we propose to increase the amount of accessible green spaces in this newly developed neighborhood and to use covered pathways similarly to the traditional houses in George Town to protect people from the scorching sun and provide shade and comfort. To further improve the sustainability, the existing spatial features are integrated into the design of the walkable and accessible waterfront with local markets, marina and as well as the adaptive re-use of the old oil tanks as a recreational feature in the parks.