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.
FOSTERING INTERACTIONS THROUGH THE STRAIT
MASTERPLAN
KEY CONCEPTS
Our main concept goals (Stimulate, Engage, Protect) are aligned with the SDGs goals because we believe that it is crucial to ensure just spatial development. By implementing the agendas, our concept aims to protect the environment while promoting prosperity and proposing a participatory approach to enhance civic participation through stakeholder engagement, where public and private organisations are in sync with each other to develop and maintain the proposed interventions. This approach ensures the feasibility of our main goals: providing equal access to basic social needs and facilities, increasing liveability, upgrading economy, providing equal job opportunities, and most importantly investing in the built environment to improve coastal resilience.
STIMULATE - ENGAGE - PROTECT melindungi
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Making room for water/urban pores (against flooding)
PA C E A P P R O P R I AT I O EGIES & S
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PROTECT
The conceptual diagram shown below explains the relation between each concept and its strategies. Furthermore, it explains which of the SDGs Agendas are fulfilled. In the next page, the involved stakeholders and their co-creative relationship are presented for each strategic location.
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Adding urban green (against heat island effect)
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Cleaning water (against pollution)
ACCESS TO NATURE
NATURE
INCREASE SPONGE CAPACITY
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HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
IMPROVED SLOW TRAFFIC REGULATION
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IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
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PROTECTIVE COASTAL ZONE
ENVIRONMENT/ ECOLOGY
THE EQUILIBRIUM BAYWALK
SOCIETY
CLIMATE PROTECTION
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ENERGY & TECHONOLOGY
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URBAN FARMING
STIM ULATE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
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EXPERIMENTAL ZONE
Adaptive re-use & conservation of vacant heritage at the George Town
ec an on d om fa i st ca pu lly bl ac ic c tr es an si sp ble or t
STIMULATE COMMUNITY SPACE / CULTURAL HUB & CREATIVE CENTER
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Transit-oriented, mixed-use development of industry 4.0
d ur us ba tri n alfa sc rm a l in e g
Agricultural business (fisheries/ aquaculture, urban farming)
ENGAGE
menghubung Infrastructure Development, Safety & Cleanliness Green and blue infrastructure connectivity, Staying healthy lifestyle Combat social segregation, equal access, affordable homes
PIONEERING INTERVENTIONS
BUTTERWORTH - GEORGE TOWN - JELUTONG Food market, affordable office and co-working places
Open theater and bay-side public space next to the transit hub
Central park of urban manufacturing and research
The new ferry service is fantastic! I can just hop on and be on the other side in 10 minutes.
BUTTERWORTH LAB 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.
This is such a nice space to wander, there is always something happening here!
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.
It is super cool, that if I have a new idea I can just go to the workshop and test it out!
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.
Seaside community garden and playground
Creative workshop and community spaces from old warehouses
Water taxi stops in several locations along the bay
It was a great idea to change the ferry to pedestrian-only! We have now a park to wander in the old parking places.
CREATIVE GEORGE TOWN In the future, George Town will become a hub for community collaboration and knowledge sharing. By utilising the increasing creative character of historical George Town, we propose to use the areas around transport hubs to connect different types of people (designers, scientists, engineers with manufacturers and locals) to create places for knowledge exchange to solve collective challenges set by public authorities and to turn them into brave initiatives.
Since the road has become pedestrian-friendly, I enjoy walking here!
To create inviting public spaces and to increase social interaction a human-centred approach to design is necessary. It is achieved by incorporating walkable neighbourhoods and waterfronts with flexible spaces, shared streets, plazas, sidewalks and trails. By reconfiguring the relationship between the natural and urban areas which tie nature to civic, cultural and entertainment spaces, George Town will become more livable and accessible.
With the regeneration and the extension of the jetties, it has become a super friendly environment to live!
Improved accessibility of the waterfront by the degraded highway and the new LRT station
Mixed-use development of urban farming and residential functions
Furthermore, to improve the safety and adaptive capacity against the effects of climate change, nature-based engineering techniques such as wetlands, mangroves, stepped stairs, bioswales, green roofs and an increased amount of green are used. These measures further increase the livability of public spaces and transform George Town to a collaborative place to live, work and innovate.
Bayside urban agriculture and Jelutong Biodiversity Park
The landfill had become a park, what a much needed positive change! I can cool down here when it’s hot. I always buy my vegetables from here, it is organic and very fresh!
JELUTONG-BAY FARM The sea is clean again, I can go swimming! And the algae can be reused as organic waste. Win-win!
By 2040, the area around Jelutong will be a center for urban food production. The current soil-less techniques (hydroponic, aquaponic, aeroponic) of farming can be deployed inside buildings, used in greenhouses or even can be integrated into facades or rooftops of buildings. These types of urban agriculture, when applied on an industrial scale, have several advantages such as creating a self sustained and circular economy as well as improving the health and well being of residents. It can be cheaper to produce, addresses land shortage, uses less water and helps to secure the continuous availability of fresh products. Furthermore, urban farming using compost from organic waste generated by the residents, restaurant and local agriculture closes the waste cycle and creates an effective carbon sequestration cycle. To raise awareness among residents about the importance of this sector, they can be encouraged to create small urban farms, which can also improve community bonds and allow residents to grow their own organic food as well as improving the connectivity to marina. The Jelutong landfill currently generates adverse environmental effects such as river pollution and contamination of soil. By treating the soil and water with nature-based solutions, such as phytoremediation, reefs and other natural filtration techniques, this land will become the ideal location for a sustainable transformation into a biodiversity park. Its proximity to George Town and to the agricultural hinterlands makes it efficient to collect organic waste from here and to supply grown products, therefore, adjacent to the landfill, the unused land can be developed into a mixed-use environment with the economic focus on urban food production. With future technological advancements, new possibilities will emerge where the closeby wastewater treatment plant will be able to supply fertilizers to the urban farming facilities. 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.