Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

THE Aga Khan Trust for Culture, one of the world’s premier organisation involved in matters of architecture, conservation and urban planning, will continue helping Malaysia protect, develop and enhance George Town, Penang.

The trust has extended its contract with Think City Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd) and Penang state government for another three years and will provide technical assistance to preserve the town, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is 2008.

Work has been going on at Armenian Square and For Cornwallis to restore and rehabilitate the historic structures and public areas that’s expected to spur investment opportunities in the area.
Development of George Town is two-phased. The first phase looks at significant conservation works followed by recommendations for policies regarding land use, conservation and development, traffic, infrastructure and institutional management.

Second phase consists of the regeneration of George Town through the establishment of the George Town Conservation and Development Company and training of young professionals in conservation and sustainable development of the city’s heritage.

The world heritage status recognises George Town’s multicultural and multi-religious character. It was the city’s social and cultural pluralism that was essential for the evolution of its impressive monuments and historic urban fabric, which is distinguished by several varieties of shop-house architectures.

The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed was represented by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, His Highness the Aga Khan, as well as members of their delegation