A worker operating the excavator at the ground-breaking ceremony for the North Seafront Linear Garden project at the Esplanade in Penang. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB and CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
COME October, the popular seafront promenade of the Esplanade in Penang will be sporting a large Unesco World Heritage emblem.
Local sculptor Low Chee Peng has been tasked with crafting the emblem which will be placed on the ground in the middle of Duke Avenue.
“It is an honour to be chosen to craft the emblem that signifies George Town’s Unesco World Heritage status.
“The round emblem, which is 6mm thick and measuring about 2.8m in diameter, is made of brass.
“It will take me about three months to complete this project, which I am honoured to take on as a true Penangite.
“I hope this emblem can last for generations to come,” said Low, who is a self-taught artist.
The 48-year-old sculptor runs a workshop in Lebuh Victoria and a studio in Hin Bus Depot.
Low is proud to be chosen to craft the World Heritage emblem.
He has worked on various art installations made of metal, stone and wood in George Town and other states.
The official emblem, designed by Belgian artist Michel Olyff, was adopted at the World Heritage Convention in 1978.
It is round, like the world, to symbolise global protection for the heritage of all humankind.
The central square inside represents the results of human skill and inspiration, while the circle celebrates the gifts of nature – to show the interdependence of the world’s natural and cultural diversity.
It is used to identify properties protected by the World Heritage Convention and inscribed on the official World Heritage List.
George Town was recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site in 2008.
Prior to this, George Town had become like a ghost town in the early 2000s, soon after the repeal of the Rent Control Act 1966.
The upgrading works will see the perimeter fencing of the Cenotaph removed.
The recognition helped give the historical inner city area a new lease of life, with crowds flocking to check out Penang’s heritage.
It was during this time that Penangites started to appreciate concepts like intangible assets, living heritage and urban regeneration.
Since the recognition, a month-long festival that celebrates the anniversary of George Town’s listing as a Unesco World Heritage site has been held annually.
This year, George Town Festival 2023 will be held from July 15 to 30 to celebrate art, culture and heritage in the historical city.
Linear garden
The emblem is part of a RM1.2mil North Seafront Linear Garden project at the Esplanade, which is scheduled for completion in October.
The project, to be built on a 0.3ha site between the Cenotaph and Medan Renong food court, is a continuation of the RM14.5mil upgrading of the Esplanade seawall project that was completed last year.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the project would be among the improvements within the Unesco World Heritage site.
Under the project, the playground at the Esplanade will be moved closer to Fort Cornwallis.
“It is among several initiatives to upgrade the northern coastal area of George Town under the George Town Special Area Plan gazetted in 2016,” he said during a ground-breaking ceremony.
Also present were state housing, local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Think City Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Fazal.
Rajendran said the development of the linear garden was supported by George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC) and the state government.
He said the project allocation came from the State Economic Planning Department (BPEN) while Tetuan Permata Green Sdn Bhd had been appointed to monitor works on site as well as prepare the design, specifications and tender documents for the contractor.
He said MBPP had appointed Tetuan BT Cergas Sdn Bhd to implement the project, adding that works were expected to be completed by October.
Rajendran said the upgrading works would include a “Duke Avenue walkway” that would be carried out around the Cenotaph and Medan Renong food court.
“There will be a ‘Duke Avenue circular gathering space’ as well as the planting of shrubs and shady trees, and the installation of additional lighting and CCTV cameras,” he said.
The project’s architect, Teng Pe Yang, said an additional 60 trees would be planted to complement the existing greenery.
The perimeter fence around the Cenotaph would be removed and the playground shifted closer to Fort Cornwallis.
The linear garden is among 14 projects under the RM140mil North Seafront Master Plan that starts from Dewan Sri Pinang to Fort Cornwallis and the entrance to Swettenham Pier.
The master plan is divided into 10 zones including Dewan Sri Pinang, the two food courts, Fort Cornwallis, the clock tower as well as Town Hall and City Hall.
Medan Renong Traders Association chairman Asmadi Mohd Razuki said the upgrading would benefit hawkers.
“We have about 50 traders. I am sure many local and foreign tourists will visit this place once it is ready.
“Traders here need to play their role to maintain cleanliness once the surroundings are upgraded,” he said.
