GEORGE TOWN: Nearly half of the upcoming Silicon Island will be reserved for industry and infrastructure use, while slightly less than a third will be used for housing as well as commercial and mixed-use developments.
Industrial use will take up 224.1ha, or nearly quarter of the reclaimed island measuring 930.77ha, followed by infrastructure and utilities at 214.6ha (23.06%).
These details are contained in the ongoing public display of the Penang Silicon Island Local Plan 2050 (RTPSI) at Amari Spice Penang that was launched on Tuesday by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who also confirmed that a new state administrative centre was also planned on Silicon Island.
The emerging island at the southern tip of Penang island will have 146ha (15.71%) for housing, 81.4ha (8.75%) for mixed development, and 51.3ha (5.5%) for commercial use.
Open and recreational spaces will cover 156.12ha (16.77%), roads will take up 29.3ha (3.15%), while institutional and community facilities will use 27.7ha (2.98%).
Chow said the new administrative centre, proposed on a 2.8ha site, might also include a new state legislative assembly building.
However, not all government offices will shift to Silicon Island, with the bulk remaining at Komtar.
The administrative centre is expected to be ready by 2028, with the Penang Development Corporation in charge of assessing the respective requirements of the various state agencies.
“Information is being gathered to plan the design and use of the administrative centre.
“The planning process had started, including asking agencies how much space they need,” he said.
On the Mutiara LRT infrastructure, Chow said 27.77ha land for the LRT depot will be handed to Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd in May, allowing construction to start without waiting for the entire reclamation of Silicon Island to be completed.
He said treated water supply was enough to meet demand once the island was fully developed.
Phase One, covering 513.95ha, is targeted for completion by 2031. As of March, 133.5ha had been reclaimed.
Chow said RTPSI 2050 used GeoBIM technology, making planning more flexible and investor-friendly.
He said the project is expected to contribute RM1.1 trillion to gross domestic product by 2050, and create about 220,000 jobs.
He said RTPSI 2050 is the country’s first local plan for a fully reclaimed site, allowing planners to design without existing constraints.
On sustainability, Chow said the project targeted a 45% cut in carbon emissions, full use of renewable energy within the Green Tech Park, and promote a 70:30 shift to public transport, cycling and walking.
The public can view and give feedback on RTPSI until May 8 at the Komtar concourse on Level Three, as well as at the Town and Country Planning Department on Level 57.
