Penang is one of the most economically vibrant states in Malaysia, contributing roughly 7% of the national GDP and projecting a population growth of 40% by 2030. Its capital city George Town is the second’s most inhabited city in Malaysia. Historically founded in 1786, George Town is prone to various natural hazards namely floods, landslides, coastal erosion, typhoons, as well as technological and industrial hazards. Rapid urbanization and extreme weather are inflicting broader development issues with underlying risk factors such as unplanned urbanization, environmental degradation, and a lack of regulations and enforcement. Even so, with the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 pandemic and its dual challenges of climate change. As a result, revitalizing DRR resilience strategies are critical for making cities more sustainable, equitable, and resilient to future disaster risk.
The city of George Town has been recognized as a World Heritage Site (TWD) and a World Heritage City (BWD) by UNESCO. Therefore, in ensuring the sustainability of heritage, the Penang Structure Plan 2030 which is a planning document for the development of the State of Penang has outlined and translated several policies and strategies in efforts to conserve and maintain high value heritage to ensure the sustainability of heritage and historical cities from risk threats. disaster. Among them are balanced land use development and environmental conservation, sustainable development, environmentally friendly and livable. It will be able to reduce land use conflicts, preserve environmentally sensitive areas, take into account aspects of possible emerging and systemic risk for building resilient cities as well as maintain and conserve existing heritage areas, and also their development planning.
Penang is gearing up for the state development vision of Penang 2030 as a family-focused green and smart state to inspire the nation. In this vision, there are four (4) main themes, with the fourth theme of investing in the built environment to improve resilience. This theme under Penang 2030 has been linked to the SDGs Goal No. 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, outlining the targets to protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage and to reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters.
In 2017, the Penang State Government launched the Penang Green Agenda (PGA) 2030 with the aim of identifying a sustainable development pathway for Penang. PGA 2030 is an integral part of Penang 2030 Vision in becoming a Family Friendly Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation. The main objective of PGA is to formulate strategies that help to meet future environmental challenges in Penang while incorporating UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to adapt and build resilient community in Penang by 2030. Various issues have been disclosed in the prior hazards in Penang by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Working Group for PGA 2030. One of the most significant issues is that pre- and post-disaster aspects are frequently overlooked. Government’s efforts and resource focus overwhelmingly on attending to events when disasters happen, and less on pre-disaster (e.g., strategy, capacity building, outreach, education etc.) and post-disaster (e.g., long-term effort to rebuild community, improve resilience or relocation, provide emotional support etc.). It is very timely to review current practices, realign global agenda, and rejuvenate our strategies and actions.
Another concern that has been raised is that resources are being stretched, and government agencies are only just managing to deal with crises as they emerge. With that outlined, no agency is in charge of ensuring Penang’s resilience against new risks in the future through better data collection and forward planning. Furthermore, Penang currently lacks a strategy for developing a strategic and effective working relationship with non-government entities. The public’s involvement in recognizing and planning for emerging hazards and systemic risk is similarly downplayed. To spearhead the transition towards a more sustainable development-oriented land use, Penang needs a dedicated Unit on Disaster Management at State Level, an independent body with sufficient resources to take proactive actions and create effective coordination between different stakeholders. Also, by the year of 2025, a detailed plan of Land Use Resilience Planning shall be highly implemented in reducing causes for disasters through rational and proper land use and infrastructure planning. This is not an easily accomplished work but can realistically be achieved by the next remaining-years review of the Structure Plan.
Therefore, this webinar explores some best practices from the United Kingdom, exchange our core values, and rethink our future strategies to better respond to, recover for and prevent future risk, especially in the vicinity of the world heritage sites, and also possible areas to be listed as the World Heritage Sites. Specifically, the webinar aims to achieve the following objectives:
- To rejuvenate disaster risk reduction and resilience (DR3) strategies in vulnerable world heritage sites and their densely populated vicinities;
- To build up the technological, scientific knowledge, innovation and education and strengthen the disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels;
- To strengthen understanding to effectively design a resilient recovery and rehabilitation plan characterized by “build-back-better” concepts.
You are cordially invited to
PROGRAM SENDAI 2030: DPPC WEBINAR SERIES –
STRENGTHENING URBAN RESILIENCE IN THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION
This webinar is organized in conjunction to Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage Day by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center (DPPC) MJIIT UTM with the support of The University of Salford (THINKlab) United Kingdom, National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) Prime Minister’s Department, PLANMalaysia (Penang), Malaysian Institute of Planners, Penang State Heritage Commissioner & TRANSCEND Malaysia.
? Registration Form: https://forms.gle/NcYkHzTfdBXddbtd8
Date: 07 Julai 2022 (Thursday)
Time: 02:30 pm – 5.00 pm (GMT +8)
via WebEx Platform
An automated email will be send with the Webex link after registration.
We will see you there!
