AS a renowned Unesco World Heritage city, George Town is both a vibrant home for Penangites and a must-visit destination for tourists.
Balancing modern development with heritage preservation, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) revitalises the city’s historical buildings, turning them into more than mere relics of the past.
Among PDC’s notable restoration projects is Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on China Street Ghaut.
Once an abandoned warehouse, this building has been beautifully restored to its former glory and upgraded with modern amenities, including new toilets, staircases, a lift, and fire-fighting features.
Preserving its original architecture while enhancing its functionality, the building now houses the Penang Science Cluster. This state-funded centre offers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes for youth and occupies the main floors of Wisma Yeap Chor Ee.
PDC chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar said PDC also designed and constructed the Penang Institute’s main heritage wing from scratch.
“The building’s striking black-and-white facade was crafted to harmonise with its historical surroundings, while its interior and exterior finishes reflect the architectural style of a bygone era.
“Serving as the Penang Institute’s conference hall and research departments, this building exemplifies PDC’s ability to create contemporary spaces within a heritage context.
“In addition, PDC revitalised the historic Sia Boey market, established in the 19th century. This project preserved the market’s original structure while adding recreational facilities along the Prangin Canal,” Aziz told Buletin Mutiara recently.
He added that the revitalised space has become a popular destination and Malaysia’s first urban archaeological park in land-scarce George Town.
As the township’s population grows, public amenities must adapt to changing needs. Responding to increased commercial activity in Seberang Perai, PDC has designed and constructed SP Arena (Seberang Jaya) and Butterworth Arena. These multipurpose venues serve both business and community purposes.
Aziz emphasised that beyond creating new facilities, PDC is committed to maintaining existing public housing across Penang through rejuvenation schemes.
“These include repainting, upgrading, and repairing structural elements such as lighting, pipes, roofs, gutters, and water tanks. These efforts enhance the cityscape, ensuring the safety, security, and quality of life for residents.
“With evolving urban trends, PDC is constantly reimagining the future possibilities of Penang’s urban spaces to align with its evolving identity. This will enhance the lifestyle and living quality of Penangites,” he said.