VARIOUS stakeholders, including residents, community groups, businesses, non-governmental organisations, and representatives from various demographics within the community, are encouraged to participate in the public engagement for the ‘Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme’ (PNBCAP).
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said it is important to ensure that all voices are heard and represented in the decision-making process for the PNBCAP programme.
He said PNBCAB is a comprehensive and collaborative effort incorporating a diverse set of components to address both the environmental and social dimensions of climate change in Penang’s urban landscape.
These components consist of:
1. Built projects for greening Penang
2. Built projects for stormwater and flood management
3. Comprehensive vulnerability and baseline assessment and action plans in targeted communities
4. Social resilience programme
5. Institutional capacity and knowledge transfer platform
Rajendran said for the city council, the location selected for PNBCAP is within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site from the north coastal areas to Weld Quay, Beach Street, Chulia Street and Union Street.
He outlined the type of projects to be implemented under the five components, including new tree-lined streets, pocket parks and vacant spaces, green parking spaces, urban agriculture programme and blue-green corridors.
“We welcome you to put forth your best ideas and suggestions to make this programme and projects meaningful and worthy.
“This is our city and it is our responsibility to save and protect it, not only for ourselves but the future generations too. Together, we will make Penang Island sustainable and resilient,” said Rajendran.
Later, Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari officially inaugurated the information and display centre at the Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama today.
Four information and display centres have been set up at several locations on the island as listed below:
i) The Brown Gallery, (Town Hall) from March 7 until April 21.
ii) Komtar, Level 3 from March 7 until April 21.
iii) Gurney Plaza from March 15 until March 24.
iv) Queensbay Mall from March 26 until March 31.
Zairil hopes that more people and stakeholders will give their views and participate in this process.
“We appreciate and value their feedback and comments. They can scan the QR code at MBPP offices and the information centres to share with us their take on these related projects under the PNBCAP programme,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat