Jagdeep (right) launching the World Town Planning Day celebration in Komtar, Penang.
PENANG is embarking on a two-pronged strategy on its revised George Town Special Area Plan (SAP) by taking a business friendly approach yet preserving the world-famous Unesco World Heritage Site.
State local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the new SAP, which would come into effect by September next year, would emphasise mixed-use activities in the area.
“Other improvements include planning, management and standardising of guidelines at the heritage site.
“This includes the preservation of Outstanding Universal Value, which saw George Town being recognised by Unesco.
“The public can give their feedback on the draft SAP before it is released in April.
“The final draft will be tabled in September, ” said Jagdeep.
He was speaking at a press conference after launching the state-level World Town Planning Day celebration in Komtar recently.
The first SAP came into effect on Aug 1,2016, with rules and restrictions placed on some 5,000 buildings within George Town.
The plan outlines what businesses can operate in the heritage area and which areas get special exclusions.
The plan also identifed certain ‘no touch, no development’ areas in the enclave.
The SAP in 2016 was commissioned by the Penang government and the state heritage agency, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, to comply with Unesco regulations on the heritage site.
The plan was also seconded to Unesco for their approval.
All feedback on the draft plan can be channelled to the PlanMalaysia Penang website at http://jpbd.penang.gov.my
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