Burying the time capsule at the Union Square pocket park are (from left) Sundarajoo, Dr Lomax-Smith, Rajendran and Zairil. — Photos: KT GOH/The Star
THE inauguration of Union Square, a pocket park on Union Street in Penang, was held to mark the George Town-Adelaide sister city’s 50th anniversary.
It is a pilot greening project introduced by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCAP).
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said it encapsulated the essence of the sister-city relationship between the two cities.
“During my visit to Adelaide for the 50th anniversary celebrations in December last year, I held discussions with Adelaide mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith about establishing a park here in Penang.
“This pocket park initiative will serve as a municipal framework for climate adaptation, with the potential for it to be scaled and adapted in other cities in Malaysia and elsewhere in the region.
“In the inner-city areas, especially at the core zone of George Town Unesco World Heritage Site, back lanes and pocket parks are often part of urban regeneration efforts by transforming underutilised or blighted spaces into vibrant community assets,” he said in his speech at the opening of Union Square.
Rajendran said back lanes and pocket parks could serve as focal points of activity and interest in the urban areas.
This includes incorporating elements of fountains, flower beds, a place to sit and rest, providing communities with greenery and an ecological foothold for urban wildlife.
Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said that under the urban greening component of PNBCAP, vacant spaces would be converted into pocket parks or urban gardens in George Town.
“Union Square was designed with the interventions to help regulate the micro-climate of the urban area through reduced hard surfaces and increased shading from trees.
“The tree species planted here were selected based on the Climate-resilient Urban Tree Species Study for Malaysia, to withstand the expected changes in weather patterns and prevent tree mortality from climate change,” he said.
Zairil said he was confident that PNBCAP together with MBPP, other government agencies, private sector and communities, could help enhance investor confidence and for Malaysia to gain further technical capacity in the fight against climate change.
Dr Lomax-Smith, in her speech, said the George Town–Adelaide link was more than just celebrating five decades of relationship.
“Our relationship is almost inevitable because we are linked by a history of colonisation and a dynasty of founders, underlying commercial gain. We are also linked by aspirations and common goals.
“Through this sister-city relationship, we have converged on the same set of challenges, hopes and desires for the future.
“So, today is somewhat unusual in the sister-city relationship because it is almost entirely dedicated not only to our grand history, our cultural past, or even the infrastructure, but it is also focused on the future.”
Dr Lomax-Smith emphasised that both George Town and Adelaide shared a common objective of addressing climate change issues.
She commended Penang’s commitment to tree planting, noting that there was a need for real political commitment, investment and understanding of why this was being done.
“In Adelaide, we commit to protecting nature and our residents, and tree planting is one way of showing our gratitude and love towards Mother Nature.
“This is no longer about climate change prevention, but it is about resilience,” she added.
After the inauguration, Dr Lomax-Smith and Rajendran buried a time capsule at the park with a time capsule plaque that had instructions for the capsule to be opened on the 60th anniversary of the George Town-Adelaide Sister City Relationship on Dec 8, 2033.
Accompanied by delegates from Adelaide and MBPP councillors, department heads and state representatives, they later went over to the Esplanade to plant a Bunga Tanjung tree at the open field.
Also present were Penang housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, Chief Minister of Penang Incorporated (CMI) general manager Datin S. Bharathi, PNBCAP project manager Dr Kwan Soo Chen, Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed and MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong.
