GEORGE TOWN, May 14 – The Opening Ceremony of the Padang Kota Lama Sea Wall Strengthening and Improvement Project on this auspicious morning. The Penang State Government is actively upgrading and expanding the network of spaces and public facilities to increase the connectivity of social interaction in all focus areas in the state, including Georgetown.
This initiative entrusted to George Town Conservation Devalopment Corporation (GTCDC) since 2016 is based on the North Seafront Master Plan which aims to upgrade quality public spaces that are acceptable, attractive and inclusive for all in the George Town Special Area Plan.
The Master Plan involves about 14 projects with a total cost of RM140 million jointly funded by the State Government, MBPP and Think City. Of the 14 projects (physical projects and research projects), 10 of them have been completed so far with the involvement of various agencies and state departments including the Sea Wall Project in collaboration with MBPP.
This successfully realized Sea Wall Strengthening and Improvement Project is one of the projects that expresses the State Government’s concern for the need for comfortable and safe infrastructure and public facilities for the people of Penang.
GTCDC, a joint venture agency between Chief Minister Incorporated (CM) and Think City Sdn Bdh representing the State Government, has taken positive steps to conduct a comprehensive study covering the history of the existence of sea wall construction, heritage, coastal survey work, marine engineering and internal structures. efforts to upgrade and give a bar face to the increasingly dilapidated sea wall while ensuring safety features in the surrounding area are emphasized.
As informed by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Bandar, the total cost for the development of the Lat Esplanade Wall, including a pedestrian promenade along about 570 meters from Medan Selera Renong to the Royal Malaysian Navy Base is RM12.9 million funded by MBPP, apart from an additional RM1 .4 million more from the State Government for the Linear Garden project which will be implemented by MBPP this year to complete the function of public spaces and green areas near the Sea Wall.
In line with our common aspirations and dreams in the concept of Vision Penang2030 – Smart and Green State Based on National Inspired Family, it is hoped that this project can provide a new dimension of impact, not only to visitors/people but to the state of Penang as a whole.
The implementation of the North Seafront project based on the Master elan also demonstrates the advantages of a culture-based approach that offers sustainable socio-economic development while maintaining historical and environmental values in the State of Penang.
Apart from the Sea Wall, some of the major projects that are being implemented under this Master Plan include the Cornwallis City conservation project which dignifies the conservation of Category 1 Heritage Buildings. In addition, there are also projects involving the upgrading of pedestrian walkways on Lebuh Light as well as in the area around the North Seafront to ensure that each focus area is well connected and organized.
Works were also carried out to upgrade public facilities and playgrounds near Astaka Medan Selera as well as the Linear Garden Project which will further complement the availability of the Sea Wall area as a public space area.
