A COUNCILLOR from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has proposed building sheltered pedestrian walkways to improve the walking experience for all commuters.
In his speech at the MBPP monthly full meeting yesterday, Alan Lim Wei Lun suggested that as an initial step, MBPP could focus on schools, public markets, hospitals, houses of worship, public government offices, and high-density residential areas.
“We can connect these buildings to the nearest bus stations with covered pedestrian walkways.
“For new residential or commercial construction projects, we can also encourage developers to collaborate and provide covered footpaths from the project area directly to the nearest bus stations,” Lim said.
He added that with the state soon embarking on the Light Rail Transport (LRT) project, it is appropriate to complete the LRT stations with covered pedestrian walkways to encourage the use and enjoyment of LRT by users.
“Covered walkways are an important element in urban development and a driving factor in increasing the use of public transport. I hope and urge that MBPP can realise this proposal,” he said.
Enhancing the state’s infrastructure will have a profound impact on the quality of life of the community, according to Lim. He highlighted that one of the themes in the Penang2030 vision is to improve livability to enhance the quality of life.
He said a conducive environment and a cohesive urban infrastructure would encourage, among other things, the use of public transport such as buses to reduce road congestion.
He asked the meeting to imagine a situation where pedestrians have to walk in hot weather or heavy rain to reach their destination, noting that this would certainly not encourage them to walk far or to the bus station to take public transport.
As a result, he pointed out, it is more convenient for them to use their own vehicle. This leads to prevalent road congestion, which becomes more serious during public holidays and religious festivals. It is said seven out of 10 vehicles do not carry other passengers.
Lim stated that covered walkways would provide comfortable passage all year round. Individuals of all ages, whether parents pushing strollers with small children, or elderly individuals with mobility aids, would benefit from the presence of covered walkways. They can move around the city in comfort.
Additionally, he mentioned that with covered paths, pedestrian maintenance costs could be reduced because they are less exposed to weather changes that can cause damage to the surface of the pedestrian path.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of MBPP councillor Alan Lim