THE EQUILIBRIUM BAYWALK
A TRAIL TO STIMULATE, ENGAGE, & PROTECT THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES OF PENANG
In the near future, Penang is calling out for new stories through its livable, attractive, and environmentally just promenades where all living creatures could equally embrace the soft breeze of the sea. Apart from accommodating social interactions, these waterfronts also provide new spaces to stimulate ideas, experiment with technology, and execute sustainable innovations so that the community is ready to face future urban challenges. Public transport and infrastructures are being reconfigured to engage both locals and visitors to these destinations. Nature-based solutions are also utilised to protect the coastline from the rising climate threat. To come up with an integrated vision, the issues are explored through the social, economic, and environmental aspects of Penang. We believe the considerations of the different domains will enable strong and resilient characters of the designed spaces. The critical problems are then resolved with our main sub-projects: Stimulate, Engage and Protect. Hence now to you--our dearest reader--let us walk on the trail of The Equilibrium Baywalk, such that you may discover what it means to live in a productive and resilient environment.
ANALYSES AND POTENTIALS
ECONOMY - SOCIETY - ENVIRONMENT
industrial areas (high-tech / lower-tech) concentration of universities main road structure main railway structure 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 railway / road structure
(Data source: Cities, people & the economy a study on positioning Penang; Penang Economic and Development Report 2017/2018)
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)
(Data source: Cities, people & the economy a study on positioning Penang; Penang Economic and Development Report 2017/2018)
(Data source: Penang Economic and Development Report 2017/2018)
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 • 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 • inefficient public transport due to incomprehensive connectivity and coverage, with traveling times many times higher than commute by car • 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
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 • increasing marine water temperature, which results in increased fish mortality • flooding, which is caused by an increase in paved areas and due to the rising frequency of sudden storms and quantity of rainfall • air pollution, although air quality has improved since 2012, it is still moderate on 20.2% and unhealthy on 1.3% of the time
• the untapped creative potential of George Town, which is in line with the need for increased innovation
• limited access to nature and waterfronts, the current open space target of Penang is 4m2/ person, while 9m2/person is recommended by the WHO
• 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
• the condition of open green spaces in the urban areas is often not inviting, for example, odorous riverbanks and trash filled seashore
• moderate seawater quality, where only 3 stations reported good water quality
• lack of spaces to encourage interaction between different segments of society with new developments
• coastal erosion, the increase in sudden storm events together with the expected sea-level rise cause increased coastal erosion Penang Island
• inefficient organic waste recycling, although it accounts for 40% of overall waste
STIMULATE - mendorong - 复兴 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.
Visualisation of the future of Penang
ENGAGE - menghubung - 连接 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.
• moderate river water quality, due to industrial effluent and public apathy • sea-level rise
PROTECT - melindungi - 保护 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.