Developing tourism products after accreditation as a World Heritage Site: Case of George Town, Penang. DR NEIL KHOR 12 June 2014

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1 Developing tourism products after accreditation as a World Heritage Site: Case of George Town, Penang DR NEIL KHOR 12 June 2014

2 In a summary Who How What When Who is Think City? What does Think City do? Think City is Malaysia's first urban regeneration organization. It delivers catalytic bottom-up urban regeneration programmes that are led by local communities. It aims to be a Thought leader on sustainable cities and urban regeneration Catalyst in the shaping of city development Centre for capacity building for researchers, city administrators and policy makers Regional incubator for innovative ideas and local solutions addressing key urban challenges Think City follows a clear approach in delivering in each space Research Demonstrate Capacity Build Document Advocate In each space it operates in, it takes a phase approach in order to build credibility and institutionalized capability Pilot (6M 1Y) Programmes (2-3 Years) Institution (>3 years) How does Think City deliver? Where and When does it deliver?

3 Progress so far Who How What When George Town Transformation Programme Leisure & Tourism initiative that evolved into an urban regeneration programme covering FAST (Facilitate Accelerate Support Transform) EASE (Efficient Access in a Sustainable Environment) FLOW (Full Life on the Water Front) CLICK (Connect Learn Imagine Create / Kick Start) Greening George Town (Greening Project) BIDS (Business Improvement District Scheme) Joint Workshops with international partners e.g. AusHeritage George Town Grants Programme (GTGP) Under FAST (Facilitate Accelerate Support Transform), the development of a grants programme Inception of Think City Khazanah World Bank Collaboration Cities, People & Economy A series of conferences on urban conservation /greening and on Penang / Indian Ocean Penang Project Putrajaya Project A series of Cultural Mapping Programmes And many more publications

4 Celebrating the City s Outstanding Universal Values Research Demonstrate Capacity Building Documentation Advocacy Visions of Penang Baseline Study Population Census Land Use Study Special Area Plan 210 Projects in 4 Years 110 Buildings restored Community-based City Managers Urban Planning Design Baseline Study Report Urban Markets Report Community Publications Penang Story Lectures International Lectures Conferences Workshops

5 Placemaking Improving the Visitor Experience Description/Impact Enhance/reactivate a space Organising the community & est. needs based planning Place programming through AHC Key Stakeholder State Government, Local Government, various communities Projects Little India - Neighborhood Courtyards, Programming for GTF 2014 in the courtyards, Little India Zero Waste Zone Upper Queen Street programming - Lorong Party (street market) Projects Wayfinding System for Visitors Advocacy through cultural programmes Affordable Housing

6 Heritage Interpretation Strengthening Communities Description/Impact To establish an AHC flagship project at STAR Pitt Street Boostering existing community-related AHC projects. To encourage creativity and innovation to enhance the AHC ecosystem. To understand and deepen Malaysia s Creative Economy To improve the AHC ecosystem To map & identify stakeholders. Focus on key stakeholders/ design+designers Key Stakeholder Various communities Projects Penang Story 2014 Penang and the Indian Ocean Arts Ed (Network of Intepretation and Interventions in GTWHS) Creative Cities The Star Pitt Street Hock Teik Cheng Sin community interpretation center

7 7 Terraces Boutique Hotel Description/Impact Creating and expanding heritage tourism accommodation by way of boutique offerings Adaptive Re-use of heritage buildings that respect the OUVs Creating employment and greater opportunities for wider markets for arts & crafts Key Stakeholder Christopher Ong & Karl Steinberg Projects 18 All Suite Full service boutique hotel Kebaya: Peranakan food fine dining experience Bababar: Bar with live music performance Heritage tours International Recognition Conde Nast Hotlist 2013 for Best New Hotel Featured in Monocle, New York Times, Wall Street Journal

8 Culinary Heritage Description/Impact Encouraging communities to re-discover their culinary heritage Protecting urban markets & the food chain Encouraging grantees to improve the dining experience Improving street fair Key Stakeholder Various communities Projects Straits Muslim Culinary Heritage Project Jawi House Via Pre (Italian Restaurant) Queen Street hawker food Chowrasta Market

9 George Town Festival Description/Impact Celebrating the City by supporting community participation in the festival Festival attracts over 250,000 visitors to its programmes Key Stakeholder Various communities Projects Masjid Kapitan Keling & Lebuh Acheh Projects Recreating 19 th century George Town with the Penang Chinese Clan Council Indian Muslim Food Festival Cultural Performances

10 GTGP A catalytic initiative that enabled urban regeneration Catalytic bottom-up and community based pilot initiatives are critical kickstarters that enable us to deepen further in the future and become more relevant in the national context on relevant urban themes affecting cities such as housing, AHC, BIDS, place making as well as spatial planning

11 Challenges & Key Lessons Gentrification Rapid Change Enforcement Commercialization Disney-effect Need to make sure the city is inclusive for all groups. Temper change through community projects Build local capacity to meet urban challenges Get communities involved in the making of tourism products Need to change mindsets from tourist to visitor perspective.

12 THANK YOU