Sustainability, Quality of Life and Challenges in an Emerging City Region of George Town, Malaysia

Abstract

High urbanization in Asia has given rise to the necessity to revisit its planning strategies towards the notion of livability and sustainability. This has called upon a need to accommodate the living capacity and ability of cities to provide welfare to their populations. Cities become complex and contradictory spaces if problems with accessibility towards basic necessities, inefficient transportation systems, environmental degradation, urban poverty, social exclusion and collapsing community values are not tackled with scrutiny of the standards needed for the urban quality of life (QoL). This paper aims to describe the urbanisation processes that challenge the livability and sustainability of George Town, the world heritage site of Penang, Malaysia. Using questionnaires and in-depth interviews with respondents, data were collected to explore the quality of life indicators and to assess the extent of urban sustainability and the challenges faced by the local communities. With the notion of an emerging mega urban region, the success of George Town in planning and projecting a sustainable urban development model is a step towards eliminating contemporary urban challenges and to promoting its cultural heritage. In this way forward, the role of the local authorities is crucial to propel George Town towards a livable city status that is culturally preserved.

Exploring Community Perceptions of Climate Change Issues in Peninsular Malaysia

“…However, a few states, such as Malacca, have conducted sustainable urbanization strategies; i.e., on the western side of the historic city of Malacca, in terms of conserving the old buildings [45]. Another example is the state of Penang, which has also taken the steps of implementing sustainable urbanization strategies for the emerging city of George Town, in terms of planning strategies for livability and sustainability, i.e., the living capacity and ability of the city to provide welfare for its population, to achieve urban quality of life [46]. In this respect, campaigns for community alertness and initiatives suggested by the respondents to mitigate the effects of climate change are necessary to incorporate into state planning strategies.…”

Comparative Planning for Port Cities in Southeast Asia and Persian Gulf

“…Rafiei (2018) Relationship between the coast and city Li (2018) Containerization and globalization, Complex relationship of port city Mohammadi & Diva (2018) Locating ports without using scientific methods Lotfi & Karami (2017) Inequalities of ports social and economic conditions of each geographical Mirzajani (2018) Security of shipping lines Soheili et al (2020) Petroleum states in the Persian Gulf are irresponsible, especially about the environment Karimipour et al, 2016) Iran's dependence on the shores of the Persian Gulf Chen et al (2016) Malaysian ports are inadequate rail for transport. Van den Berghe (20 15) Ports lost any sense of local identity Sayed (n.d.) Non-participation of the community in the protection and maintenance program Zhao et al (2019) A port is not merely a geographic space Jeevan et al (2015) Shahid Rajaei terminal(Iran) is the only container terminal in the country Yang et al (2020) The intensity of urban development on both sides of the Maleka Strait Le et al (2020) The absence of deepwater seaports Dawood (2019) Industrialization and urban growth have put a toll on environmental welfare and social wellbeing Chahshori et al ( 2020) Some ports are not connected to the entire railway Rastegary (2017) Shahid Rajaei terminal(Iran) is the only container terminal in the country Mohammadi & Diva (2018) The growth of port trade in Malaysian ports an exponential over the last decade Tabatabaie & Amiri (2019) Mangrove Forests Change in the Coastal Areas of Bushehr Arasteh (2016) Lack of the cycle port-hinterland spatial structure Asghari & Vafaei, 2015) Ignore traditional local design patterns 40 Yu et al (2020) The rapid development of port-disordered resources and environmental pollution 41 Pous et al (2015) The Persian Gulf and water mass formation and exchange through the Strait of Hormuz 42 Schipper et al (2017) Lack of green port policies 43 Xiao & Lam (2017) A port city that does not act as a link between the local economy and the global economy 44 Wagner (2019) Lack of communication betwe...…”