THE inscription of George Town as a Unesco World Heritage Site has elevated Penang internationally and brought forth many advantages in terms of cultural heritage tourism investment, development and destination marketing.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the inscription in 2008 had single-handedly changed the state’s fortunes.
“It proved to be the catalyst for the city’s remarkable transformation.
“The city became cleaner when the investments started to pour in. Seedy elements of the city gradually disappeared. People want to visit Penang and we have received many international accolades to back that assertion.
“Looking back to before the inscription, George Town was once a city of eyesore. It is hard to imagine now of its previous condition.
“Look at where George Town is today,” Chow said in his speech during the Asia-Pacific Heritage 20/20 Forum at Bangunan UAB in China Street Ghaut today.
Chow said, like any other Unesco heritage sites, George Town’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) has been both shielded and threatened by the status.
“Accelerated gentrification, increased cultural commodification and the loss of intangible heritage are threats, if left unchecked, will undermine the OUV of the city,” he said.
He added that cultural heritage – both tangible and intangible – as well as creativity were resources that needed to be protected, enhanced and carefully managed.
“As steward and guardian of the city, my government, through the means of the Penang2030 initiative, will make our most fervent attempt to position Penang as the centre for culture.
“We hope that by doing so, an economy and society based on culture and creativity will be cultivated and nurtured.
“We are privileged to have many concerned organisations and individuals such as George Town World Heritage Incorporated, Penang Heritage Trust ad Think City to champion, manage and celebrate our city’s cultural heritage,” he said.
Participants of the forum also witnessed the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said the Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation was conceived in Penang during its landmark ‘Economics of Heritage’ regional conference in 1999.
“The Unesco Awards has recognised some of the best examples of the private sector’s involvement in conservation; and by shining a spotlight on these achievements, encourages others to invest in the preservation of cultural heritage.
“It also celebrates partnerships and collaborations between the private and public sectors – which, as we have learnt in Penang, is key to the successful regeneration of heritage assets,” he said.
Fifty-seven entries from 14 countries were received, out of which, 16 entries were selected as winners.
Among the countries that took part were Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar and New Zealand.
Also present were state Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Unesco Bangkok director Shigeru Aoyagi and guest of honour Than Phu Ying Sirikitiya Jensen.
The winners of the 2019 Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation are as follows:
2019 Unesco Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts
Joan Sutherland Theatre Passageway and Lift of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney (Australia)
Dry Pit Latrine in Jiaxian Ancient Jujube Garden in Nihegou Village, Shaanxi (China)
The Mills, Hong Kong SAR (China)
2019 Unesco Honourable Mention
The 5s Classroom, Preshil The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School, Kew (Australia)
Westpac Long Gallery Australian Museum, Sydney (Australia)
Liddell Bros. Packing Plant, Wuhan (China)
Flora Fountain, Mumbai (India)
2019 Unesco Award of Merit
Tseto Goenpa, Paro (Bhutan)
Guyue Bridge in Chi’an Town, Zhejiang (China)
Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai (India)
Our Lady of Glory Church, Mumbai (India)
Lyttelton Timeball Station, Christchurch (New Zealand)
2019 Unesco Award of Distinction
Keyuan Garden, Suzhou (China)
Vikram Sarabhai Library, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (India)
Nelson School of Music, Nelson (New Zealand)
2019 Unesco Award of Excellence
Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, Hong Kong SAR (China)
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Alvie Cheng