GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) today has joined a chorus of voices calling on the Penang government to revisit development plans for Burmah Square here.
Its president Lim Gaik Siang has asked for a win-win solution which "balances brownfield redevelopment, especially in heritage sensitive areas.
"The government also has the responsibility to work hand-in-hand with heritage bodies, experts and organisations to further recognise heritage areas for preservation and rejuvenation for modern quality living in a heritage zone."
Lim, in a statement, was responding to the proposal to redevelop Burmah Square, which she described as an "under-recognised heritage enclave" outside the George Town World Heritage Zone.
It was reported that the mega development proposal will see the demolition of repurposed government quarters to be replaced with two commercial and residential towers of up to 40 storeys within the area.
The land on which the buildings are currently standing belongs to state-owned Penang Development Corporation.
The PDC had revitalised Burmah Square in the 1990s, renting the pre-war houses there to interested businesses.
The 1.5ha area is surrounded by Jalan Burmah, Jalan Chow Thye, Jalan Irrawady and Jalan Servis.
"The heritage charm of Penang lies not only within the George Town World Heritage Site, but is found in many other heritage enclaves such as Burmah Square.
"Burmah Square and the surrounding areas sit within a single, most intact, Art Deco-style enclave found in the country.
"Efforts should be made to preserve this enclave, and any plans for redevelopment and rejuvenation should be made in accordance to the genius loci of the place," she said.
In classical Roman religion, a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. Art Deco refers to the architectural style popular from the 1930s to the1950s.
Lim said the area bound by Jalan Larut, Jalan Burma, Jalan Pangkor and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah on Penang island, presents the highest collection of buildings built in this architectural style, and is the most intact enclave found anywhere in the country.
"Notable buildings built in this style, include the Lee Kongsi, Wesley Methodist Church, Methodist Girl School, Penang Chinese Girls High School (all in Penang) and Pasar Seni (in Kuala Lumpur)."
Lim said the Penang state government should lead by example in its commitment to preserve Penang's heritage diversity with regard to development.
"This was done before, exampled by the innovative readaption and reuse of the Burmah Square quarters by the PDC and should be continued now, especially in Penang's effort to position herself as a destination of choice for foreign travelers and investments.
"The proposed mega development on Burmah Square will have a domino effect on the surrounding buildings, putting pressure for future developments in the area."
She said the development mistake which had previously destroyed the heritage significance along the nearby Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Jalan Macalister should not be repeated.
"Further, the development plans submitted did not take into consideration of changes to traffic and living conditions of the larger area surrounding Burmah Square," Lim said.
The mega development, she added, will increase pressure on two major arteries leading in and out of George Town (Jalan Burma and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah), where the two roads had already breached their traffic capacity on a daily basis.
