Transformation Programme
An initiative dedicated to George Town's regeneration was ongoing. Khazanah launched the George Town Transformation Programme, with the aim of marrying the city's rich historical legacy with a 21st century vision of development based on the principles of economic, social and ecological sustainability.
Supported by global master planners EDAW (now AECOM) and local subject experts, the Heritage of Malaysia Trust (Badan Warisan Malaysia), the programme proposed a proper evaluation of all the city's assets in its approach to regeneration.
George Town Transformation Programme had an approach to urban development that was based on broader values. Every recommendation and project under the Programme had to fulfil that set of values.
They had to be closely associated with George Town and the wider Penang community. Furthermore, urban interventions needed to respect George Town's human scale, with buildings kept to a particular size and height so as to preserve the city's character. The Khazanah team believed that these interventions should foster partnerships and demonstrate creativity.
This values-based approach is perhaps the most important contribution of the George Town Transformation Programme to urban planning in Malaysia.
The George Town
Transformation Programme At a Glance
An innovative small grants programme designed to provide financial support for the development of civic, cultural, and intellectual skills in George Town. It was intended to promote the regeneration of George Town through a series of relatively small-scale initiatives.
For the Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR) area of George Town, a programmed physical intervention designed to boost environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The aim was to turn it into a centre for creativity and learning with the right initiatives.
A transport strategy involving traffic calming, encouraging public transport and transferring the vehicular ferry to align with the Jelutong Expressway (now Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway).
To develop George Town’s waterfront by expanding and connecting civic amenities along the Esplanade from Dewan Sri Pinang to Swettenham Pier, which features a cruise ship terminal. Opportunities for investments in the form of new developments would also be created.
Our Approach
The Way Foward
The George Town Transformation Programme engaged local stakeholders and aligned government visions to transition Penang into a talent-driven economy.
It emphasized reducing crime, improving infrastructure, and enhancing quality of life, incorporating principles of social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience from the Sustainable Penang Initiative.
Creative Cities
The George Town Transformation Programme, inspired by the "creative city" concept, highlights that cities thrive by fostering creativity, attracting talent, and solving urban issues.
Successful cities support small enterprises through public-private partnerships and integrate cultural assets into planning. Cities worldwide are now establishing services to support local creative economies and encourage sector collaboration.
Regenerating a Historic City
he George Town Transformation Programme, aligned with UNESCO's World Heritage listing, required new resources, regulations, and skills to preserve the site.
This included traffic calming, phased development, and establishing George Town World Heritage Inc to oversee the site's protection and promote cooperation among stakeholders.