THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was awarded the prestigious Jean-Paul L’Allier Heritage Prize by the Organisation of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) in Quebec recently for its achievements in Creating Public Spaces Through the Revitalisation of Back Lanes in the World Heritage City of George Town.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang described the prize, which is given by OWHC every second year to a member city that has distinguished itself by its achievements in the conservation, enhancement or management of property at its world Unesco site, as an ‘honour’.
“We didn’t expect to win this award. After we had submitted our application, we did not know who the accessors were, when they would visit our heritage city and their selection mechanism.
“There are over 300 heritage cities in the world. And George Town is one of the 11 cities shortlisted. So, the award came as a pleasant surprise.
“To us, the award is very important not only for the state but for mankind as the world heritage site here is meant for everybody,” Yew said in an interview at the City Hall today.
Yew, however, was unable to attend the awards’ presentation ceremony in Quebec, Canada, on Sept 9 as he was involved with the hosting of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2022 in Penang then. A representative from Melaka received it on his behalf.
Yew said he believed the back lane transformation project at the George Town World Heritage Site carried out by MBPP since 2017 has made a huge difference and impact on the affected residents.
“We’ve turned the dark and dirty back lanes to their present bright and clean image as well as give the residents a sense of peace and security at night.
“We’ve turned the negative into the positive. We’re also working towards a low-carbon city.
“MBPP targets to beautify and transform a total of 9km of back lanes and side lanes. So far, we have reached the halfway stage.
“Before implementing the project, we have engagement with the affected community. We always take into account the sustainability of the project.
“We want the residents or society to take ownership because this project belongs to everybody.
“I am very happy that many residents have a different mindset now. Lately, many even wanted to invest for the preservation and conservation of their back lanes,” Yew added.
When the upgrading of the 9km of back lanes is completed, MBPP will have a total green space of about 10 acres, which includes cycling lanes.
Yew also commended the MBPP Heritage Department, headed by director Danny Koay, for a job well done.
He said besides setting aside its budget for the upgrading and beautification project, MBPP has also received some financial help from the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
For next year, Yew said MBPP would focus on the Adaptation Programme, of which a grant of US$10 million was approved by UN-Habitat for Penang to combat urban heat.
The programme aims to enhance urban resilience and reduce human and ecosystem health vulnerability to climate impacts by implementing nature-based solutions.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat