The regeneration of George Town’s Civic Centre represents one of the most significant urban initiatives undertaken by the state in recent decades. It has been a collaborative effort across all levels of the Penang State, notably Chief Minister Incorporated and the Penang Island City Council, guided by a shared commitment to heritage, liveability, and environmental responsibility. The close partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which has provided expert advisory support throughout, and the wide-ranging consultation with community stakeholders have been central to this endeavour.

What sets this initiative apart is its innovative and integrated planning approach. Rather than relying on fragmented and uncoordinated piecemeal development, we have embraced a comprehensive vision that reconnects George Town to its layered past while preparing it to meet the challenges of the future. Attention has been placed on cultural continuity, spatial coherence, and environmental sustainability— principles that underlie the George Town Strategic Master Plan and its detailed Framework Area Plans.

At the heart of this work lies a deep respect for the city’s heritage and its “spirit of place.” The projects illustrated in this publication—ranging from the reconstruction of the seawall and moat at Fort Cornwallis to the restoration of civic gardens and promenades—are not only about physical renewal. They are about re-establishing the cultural identity and civic pride of Penang’s capital in ways that also align with the Sustainable Development Goals and climate resilience imperative.

From the preface by Yab Tuan Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang

Benson, Matt and Francesco Siravo (authors). Reclaiming George Town's Civic Centre. George Town Conservation and Development Corporation, 2025.

George Town Conservation and Development Corporation