GEORGE TOWN – Penang is considering its heritage enclave and other old town areas for its urban renewal initiative where old residences can be converted into new housing schemes.
Upon returning from a study visit to Britain, housing, local government and town planning exco Jagdeep Singh Deo revealed that he was impressed with the urban regeneration in the country’s old townships.
There are old housing areas where several families are allowed to stay in buildings previously abandoned because of new real estate coming up in suburban localities for commercial and industrial sectors, said Jagdeep in an interview.
Almost every single urban renewal initiative in major townships in Europe has recorded success in such schemes, said Jagdeep.
Therefore, he sees no reason Penang cannot pursue such initiatives, starting with buildings and housing areas in the heritage enclave or old townships here.
Despite gaining prominence after being recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site – the enclave has registered strong growth as a tourism site – residents continue to opt to stay outside the area due to the high rental and ownership prices.
The state wants to reverse this trend with the help of the federal agency Think City Sdn Bhd, an urban regeneration specialist, and George Town World Heritage Incorporated, the state agency overseeing the heritage site.
“Urban renewal has already been tested and succeeded in other countries to ensure more supply of affordable housing that is liveable with bigger sizes, more facilities such as lifts instead of walking up flats, better security and green spaces,” said Jagdeep.
It is also in line with the Penang 2030 development goals.
Jagdeep cited the example of Mahsuri 5 Point Block in Bayan Baru, which has been identified for regeneration.
“Our engagement sessions with the residents have received 100% support from them for this project, where every unit owner will be given one unit for free,” he said.
The state Housing Board will also get more affordable housing units to distribute to applicants in the waiting list in line with the urban renewal initiatives.
Jagdeep said that he will also need help from the federal government to draft a fresh law to help in the regeneration of old buildings for urban renewal housing schemes.
The move is part of Penang’s affordable housing agenda.
To date, the state has achieved 144,038 units out of its target of 220,000 units by 2030.
The categories for affordable housing include rent-to-buy, low-cost, low-medium-cost and now the urban regeneration initiative, said Jagdeep.
He also hopes that the financiers such as banks would offer flexible loan schemes, so that more buyers can qualify to own homes. – The Vibes, May 16, 2023
