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By Goh Ban Lee. Modern times are nothing if not the age of cities. This is a time when cities compete with each other, and Penang is not exempted. But although it has more advantages and more
resources than most secondary cities in the region, to succeed, it needs vision and leadership.
 UNTIL as late as the 1990s, cities were largely associated with pollution and congestion. Worse, they were seen as crucibles of moral decay and crime. Those who could choose where to stay, meaning the rich and the middle class, left to live in the suburbs and new towns.
Since then, a dramatic change in the perception of cities has taken place, at least among some leading scholars and many of those involved in built environments. Today, the catchphrase is: “Cities are not the problems; they are the solutions.” Some have set up organisations such as Metropoli Foundation and Creative Cities Foundation to sing the praises of cities and to advocate them as engines of growth. The watchwords are “creative cities”, “innovative cities”, “knowledge hubs” and “eco-cities”.
This confidence in cities is, of course, not something new. The poor in Europe voted with their feet during the Industrial Revolution when they flocked to the industrial cities to look for work. Although their class cousins in developing countries may be one century late, they, too, have been flocking to towns and cities since the middle of the 20th century.
For many of these migrants, city life is often no better than what they were used to back in their villages. Their shelters are squatter huts or even five-foot ways. Indeed, life can be miserable for migrants who are often on the receiving end of discrimination and prejudice. But turning back is not a real option; and in the city, they have hope, if not for themselves, then at least their children.
In truth, many have been able to find a better life in urban centres. A sizeable number of them or their descendants have become middle class. Indeed, some have become prosperous even. Urban dreams do come true. Cities can be engines of growth.
George Town is one city that has all the assets needed for growth. It is more than 200 years old and boasts many positive traits.
It has hills, seas and rivers situated not far from populated areas. Its built environment has retained its charm despite decades of wear and tear. Together with Malacca, Penang has been declared a World Heritage site. The multi-ethnic and religious mix of the residents of George Town is reflected not only in its buildings, ceremonies and festivities but also its foods.
Then there is the educated labour force that has been able to live up to global expectations. Some of the most successful electronic, electrical, textile and pharmacological companies in the world have set up their factories in Penang, the capital of which is George Town.
Penang will continue to be an attractive place for multinational manufacturing industries for some time to come. But George Town must make full use of its potential if it is to attract investors and professionals in relevant sectors.
This will not happen by itself. We should remember that the evolution of Penang Island from a fading entrepot port into an internationally recognised Silicon Island did not occur naturally. It was the timely counsel of the Robert Nathan Report about new international divisions of labour, coupled with the foresight and capability of former Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu to attract and facilitate multinational corporations looking for foreign bases in the early 1970s which helped modernise Penang.
While most people would have hunches about what needs to be done, it is prudent at this time in Penang’s history to encourage knowledgeable persons to brainstorm for ideas. We have to methodically ask ourselves how George Town can become an attractive place in which people can invest, work, bring up a family and have a comfortable and exciting life. A serious study of present situations, accompanied by a survey of regional and international development trends, is required.
Recent examples of what other cities, especially those in the region, have done to reinvent themselves can be inspiring.
For instance, some major cities vie to host popular sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup to maintain their international status. Others use trade expositions, such as the Hanover Expo 2000 and the coming Shanghai Expo 2010, to draw worldwide attention to themselves. Some cities make use of unique or even “outrageous” built environment. Dubai, with its Burj Al Arab and palm islands, comes to mind while others, including Kuala Lumpur, build unusual buildings to attract attention.
Some cities adopt popular themes. For example, Curitiba (in Brazil), and Stockholm are famous for sustainable living. Lijiang (China) and Bruge (Belgium) make full use of their heritage assets to draw international travellers. Edinburgh holds the annual festival of arts and culture alongside its marvellous castles to attract the literati and young at heart, while Davos (Switzerland) arranges the annual World Economic Forum to etch its name on the minds of international business and political leaders.
Nearer to home, Singapore has successfully projected itself as a safe and efficient international transportation and financial centre. Recently, it launched Singapore One North as a hub for biosciences, interactive media, physical sciences and healthcare to attract the twenty somethings and those who are young at heart.
Despite the diversity, cities that are successful in projecting themselves as attractive places have some common features. They are safe, clean, productive and exciting. They are people-friendly, and have safe pedestrian walkways, efficient public transport systems, lovely parks and recreational facilities. Some cities have even dug up roads and buildings to turn what were once harsh and hard areas into parks.
Attractive and efficient cities do not materialise out of the blue though. They need efficient and effective local government. Although the Penang Island Municipal Council, which has jurisdiction over George Town, has been judged to be among the better local authorities in a survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, there is much room for improvement if the city is to gain a reputation as a livable city in this part of the world.
The responsibility does not entirely rest on the shoulders of the president and councillors, or even the officers. As a result of local councillors being appointed, state leaders naturally play a major role in the workings of the council. There is a need to ensure a clearer separation of roles if the local council is to be effective.
Indeed, the whole local government system has to be reviewed if local authorities in Malaysia are to be innovative and effective. Meanwhile, there is the pressing problem of recognition. The name “George Town” has fallen into disuse. It is hardly used today, even by the locals. “Penang” is normally used to denote the city as well as the
island and even the state. This needs to change.
It is difficult to promote George Town as an engine of growth if its very name is not immediately recognisable.
 **Reproduced with permission. This article first appeared in the October - December 2009 (Preview issue) of the Penang Economic Monthly. This 11-year old magazine published by the Socio-economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) is being overhauled and commercialised. This endeavour is in response to the growing insight among Penangites and Penang lovers that the downward trend in the state's fortunes cannot be succesfully reversed unless they themselves get seriously involved. The goal is to inspire positive action among readers towards attaining a "Penang Renaissance".
For more information, please visit the Penang Economic Monthly site or contact the Socio-economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) at 604-2283306.
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