GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) has called on the state to do away with the redevelopment of Burmah Square, a sensitive heritage enclave, where a 42-storey dual-tower structure is being planned.
It reminded the state to lead by example in its commitment to preserve Penang’s heritage diversity vis-a-vis development, including sites outside the Unesco-listed George Town World Heritage Site.
The trust noted that in 1995 Penang Development Corporation (PDC) itself had undertaken an innovative readaptation and reuse exercise of the Burmah Square quarters under its then deputy general manager Datuk Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim.
“The proposed mega-development on Burmah Square will have a domino effect on the surrounding buildings, putting pressure on future developments in the area,” said PHT president Lim Gaik Siang in a statement today.
“PHT reiterates the call to the Penang state government to revisit the development plans of Burmah Square and seek a win-win solution that balances brown-fill redevelopment, especially in heritage-sensitive areas.”
Lim stressed that a similar development mistake has already destroyed the heritage significance along the iconic Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Jalan Macalister.
“The government also has the responsibility to work hand-in-hand with heritage bodies, experts and organisations to further recognise heritage areas for preservation and rejuvenation for modern quality living in heritage zones,” she said.
The redevelopment plans have not considered crucial facets, such as the changes to traffic and living conditions of the larger area surrounding Burmah Square. The mega-development is expected to increase pressure on two major arteries leading in and out of George Town, which are Jalan Burma and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, whereby these roads have already breached their traffic capacity on a daily basis, she added.
Lim also expressed concern that the heritage houses at Burmah Square are seated on a high water table area, and built without underground piling.
“We must be reminded that in 1980, the construction of Northam Court along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (less than 100m from the proposed Burmah Square development) was suspended, demolished and rebuilt to present-day MBF Tower because it was tilting due to the shift in underground water resulting in unforeseen soil settlement.
“This massive construction will cause huge loss of underground water and the heritage buildings which are seated on these areas will have structural damage, as seen in Prangin Mall.
“Penangites will remember the severe damage caused to more than 370 pre-war houses all around Prangin Mall by dewatering in the excavation for three levels of underground car parks,” she said.
From an artistic and architectural perspective, Burmah Square and the surrounding areas sit within a single, mostly intact, Art Deco-style enclave found in the country, Lim stressed.
Art Deco is an architectural style popular from the 1930s to 1950s, with designs characterised by sleek, streamlined looks and mixed-use of materials, including reinforced steel and Shanghai plaster.
Architecture in this location was also “marked” by Danish architect B.M. Iversen, who then brought a similar architectural style to Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, and local-born Chew Eng Eam who designed 31 Jalan Chow Thye, Lee Kongsi along Jalan Burma and two blocks of houses along Jalan Irrawadi.
Due to the heritage value of this locale, Lim believes better efforts should be made to preserve this enclave, and any plans for redevelopment and rejuvenation should be made in accordance with the genius loci of the place.
Recently, Yan Lee, the advisor for the Citizen Awareness Chant Group questioned how the two-block high-rise planned in Burmah Square is going to improve the image of Penang.
“This heritage enclave will be lost to tourists,” he said.
He urged Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to intervene and organise a town hall meeting on the state’s pending local plans as they are needed to keep a check on undue mega-development projects.
On December 1, 2021, PDC issued one-month eviction notices to the occupiers of the 34 homes in the area to welcome a 42-storey building that will include retail spaces, serviced apartments and car parks. However, it has since been rescinded after a major backlash from its occupiers. However, the delayed plan for development is still in the works.
On March 29, an expat couple sued the Penang state government, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and PDC for continuing the project.
They requested copies of relevant reports regarding traffic flow, environmental impact assessment, geological studies, feasibility studies and possible pollution for the proposed project from the high court. – The Vibes, April 13, 2022
