BIG, Hijjas and Ramboll are selected as winners of Penang State Government’s international competition to design a masterplan for Penang South Islands. The proposal entitled BiodiverCity, fits into the island’s 2030 vision, providing Penangites with approximately 4.6km of public beaches, 600 acres of parks and a 25km waterfront. An Urban Mosaic of three diverse islands, the project establishes new urban design guidelines, mixing programs, addressing pedestrian and mobility networks, building sustainably, and harvesting resources.

Located at the southern shore of Penang Island, the three islands of BiodiverCity hold mixed-use districts of 15,000 to 18,000 residents across 50 to 500 acres, and a continuous 50 to 100m buffer around each district.

BiodiverCity’s first island, or The Channels, encompasses a 500-acre digital park including spaces for research, development, and local business opportunities. Moreover, it will house future “conferences, education centers, and a family-oriented park where locals and guests can explore the world of technology, robotics, and virtual reality”. Its construction process is divided into 3 complementary phases.

• Phase 1: Active Destinations include a wave pool and technology park
• Phase 2: Civic Heart establishes governance and research institutions in the area
• Phase 3: Cultural Coast builds upon the heritage and vibrant creative energy of Penang’s George Town to create a regional and international draw.

The second and central island, The Mangroves is dedicated to businesses. Composed around urban wetlands, this zone creates a suitable environment for Mangrove forests, “an important natural infrastructure that doubles as effective powerhouses for sequestering more than four times as much carbon as a typical forest”.

The Bamboo Beacon, at the heart of the island hosts meetings, conferences, and major events, while other civic amenities are distributed throughout the city. The buildings, constructed with low-carbon materials such as bamboo and Malaysian timber in combination with green concrete, are also designed to be sustainable. They also incorporate green roofs, facades, public, and private open spaces.

Finally, the Laguna, BiodiverCity’s westernmost island, organized around a central marina, encompasses eight smaller islands. Forming a miniature archipelago, this oasis holds floating, stilted and terraced housing takes advantage of the natural setting of Tanjung Gertak Sanggul.

In addition, a network of “ecological corridors connects forest reserves to coastal beaches while supporting habitats and communities across the islands”. In fact, animals are given safe passage through the continuous canopy and waterways, and within natural habitats, people can safely access elevated boardwalks.

(image source: big.dk)

Source: big.dk, archdaily.com

About Golden Gateway

An SME Industrial Park located on a 20.5 acre land at the southeast part of Batu Kawan. Strategically located off Jalan Perusahaan Valdor, just a mere minutes drive to Batu Kawan Industrial Park. It is only 5 minutes away from Penang Second Bridge. Comprises 54 units of semi-detached and detached light industrial factories.

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Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has been chosen as the lead master plan designer for the Penang South Island (PSI), which is also known as the Penang South Reclamation (PSR).

BIG and their Malaysian associate Hijjas Architect & Planner were selected, out of five world-renowned teams, together with their Malaysian partners. They were shortlisted early this year.

The announcement marks another milestone for the future of Penang.

The PSI will provide space for communities, including the local fishermen and amenities that cater to the lifestyle requirements of young professionals and Penangites.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said a master jury panel comprising prominent Malaysian and international experts was established to assist the state in selecting the best scheme suited for the implementation of the PSI.

“Assisted by a Technical Review Panel (TRP) of independent experts, the panelists deliberated over the concepts and details in the submissions for about four weeks to ensure that the projects are implementable and appropriate for Penang.

“The PSI will play a crucial role in helping Penang to scale to greater heights.

“The sale and development of the three islands will fund Penang’s ambition to build the state’s first Light Rail Transit (LRT) and new roads under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to solve traffic congestions in Penang.

“In pursuing this ambition, the state will abide by the requirements set by the Federal Government agencies involved in implementing this project.

“To date, the state has obtained the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Department of Environment (DoE), Social Impact Assessment (SIA) from PLANMalaysia; and the advice from the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) to proceed with the reclamation.

“The state will strictly abide by all the conditions stipulated in the approvals given.

“We have faced many challenges to arrive at this crucial moment and we may face more trials as we move forward.

“We greatly appreciate your motivation. Let us work together and do our best for Penang,” he said in his welcoming address before his announcement at the Equatorial Hotel Penang in Bukit Jambul today.

The five finalists that were shortlisted early this year were BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (Denmark) with Hijjas Architect & Planner; Foster + Partners (UK) with GDP Architects Sdn Bhd; MVRDV (the Netherlands) with aLM Architects; Tekuma Frenchman Urban Design (USA) with EOWON Architects; and UN Studio (the Netherlands) with Architects 61 Sdn Bhd.

Due to the unforeseen Covid-19 situation, BIG was unable to attend the event. However, a video recording was shown with its architect Bjarke Ingels expressing his gratitude to the state.

He thanked the state after the company was chosen as the lead masterplan designer for the PSI.

“We want to create an environmentally sustainable development for the future generation.

“Thank you very much for the confidence in our team. We are looking forward to it,” he said.

The three islands will provide affordable housing, as well as public and private amenities; with approximately 4.6km of public beaches, over 600 acres of parks and 25km of waterfront promenade.

Also present during the ceremony were state executive councillors, Penang Infrastructure Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, Gamuda Berhad group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling, SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong, International Masterplan Design Competition master jury panel leader Tan Sri Esa Mohamed, International Masterplan Design Competition competition advisor Ang Chee Cheong and state assemblymen.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is formulating a tax that could be imposed on developers who fail to sell their properties as early as early next year, in an effort to reduce overhang of residential units in the country.

Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the introduction of the tax could also induce developers to be more sensible and responsible in the projection of their projects, particularly high-rise developments.

She added that the introduction of the vacancy tax does not require Parliament’s approval as no amendment to the existing Act is needed. Once the tax is approved by the Cabinet, KPKT will look at implementing the tax as early as next year, according to the news report on Malaysia Reserve.

“When these units are left empty, it triggers a lot of problems including vandalism, which affects the quality of the house due to the defects.

“So, developers must ensure that the houses are taken up as soon as possible,” she said.
She believed the move is necessary as many housing units have taken more than one year to be filled due to various reasons, whether the developers are unable to sell or buyers fail to move in.

“So, as long as the units obtain the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC), and yet they are unable to sell the units or the units failed to be filled, the developers will have to pay.

“In the future, they will do better projections when they develop houses, while ensuring the projects’ viability and developments that could attract buyers, and not just develop as they wish. With this preventive measure, they can plan better,” she noted.

Last week, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar told Parliament that Putrajaya will study the suggestion to introduce a vacancy tax to be imposed on properties that are unoccupied or unsold for a specified time.

This is similar to the model practiced in developed countries such as Canada and Australia.

Source: EdgeProp.my

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About Valencia Residence

Affordable yet luxuriously comfortable, Valencia Residence nestled within a friendly neighborhood with a myriad of cultures and ethnicities. It is conveniently located with an abundance of nearby amenities which include international schools, hospital, golf course, and malls. With just a short stroll, you will discover a scenic spot that offers endless play and relaxation along the stretch of sandy beach at Teluk Bayu.

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