Greater Penang Conurbation

Last updated
George Town Conurbation
Metropolitan area
George Town, Penang at night.jpg
Kulimtechpark.jpg
Cmglee Penang Perai River estuary aerial.jpg
Parit Buntar Clock tower.jpg
Year 2010 Sungai Petani Clock Tower.jpg
Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone 2023.jpg
From top, clockwise:
George Town CBD, aerial view of Perai, a clock tower in Sungai Petani, Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, a clock tower at Parit Buntar, Kulim Hi-Tech Park
Country Malaysia
StateFlag of Penang (Malaysia).svg  Penang

Flag of Kedah.svg  Kedah

Flag of Perak.svg  Perak
Core city George Town
Largest city Seberang Perai
Other major towns
Area
 • Total3,961 km2 (1,529 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,833,957
 • Density720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+8 (Malaysian Standard Time)
Postcode
09xxx, 10xxx, 11xxx, 12xxx, 13xxx, 14xxx, 34xxx
Area codes +604 (-2, -4, -5, -6 and -8), +605-7

The Greater Penang Conurbation, also known as the George Town Conurbation, [1] [2] [3] is the built-up urban or metropolitan area within and around the Malaysian state of Penang. Encompassing all of Penang, and parts of the neighbouring states of Kedah and Perak, the conurbation was home to over 2.83 million people as of 2020, the second largest in the country after the Klang Valley.

Contents

As the capital city of Penang, George Town also forms the core city of the conurbation, which includes Seberang Perai, the towns of Sungai Petani, Kulim and Bandar Baharu in Kedah, and Kerian in Perak.

History

Originally founded as an entrepôt, George Town's diversified economy is powered by the twin major sectors of manufacturing and services. Penang's path to industrialisation began in the 1970s with the establishment of free industrial zones at Bayan Lepas and Perai. As Penang's industries rapidly scaled up the value chain, the border towns in neighbouring Kedah, specifically Sungai Petani and Kulim, also started to witness economic spillover resulting from agglomeration effects and the rise in the standard of living within the former. [4] In 1996, the Kulim Hi-Tech Park was opened as an extension of Penang's electronics manufacturing industry.

However, interstate coordination in urban development was lacking, causing development policies to be disjointed while an urban sprawl radiated out of Penang's borders into Kedah and Perak. In the early 2000s, the Malaysian federal government drafted the National Physical Plan (NPP), in which the concept of a George Town Conurbation was borne out of the desire by policy planners to decentralise urban development to four major metropolitan areas in Peninsular Malaysia. [5] [6] The National Physical Plan 2 (NPP-2), endorsed in 2010, gave an official definition to the George Town Conurbation, stretching from Sungai Petani in the north to Kerian, Perak in the south.

In 2011, the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, announced plans to intensify infrastructure investment in Penang as part of a 'Greater Penang Masterplan'. [7] The strained federal-state ties following the 2013 general election led the Barisan Nasional-controlled federal government to slash development expenditures in Penang, then an opposition state held by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. [8] This state of affairs continued until the 2018 general election, which saw the first regime change in Malaysian history that resulted in both the federal and the Penang state governments being helmed by the same coalition for the first time since 2008.

Definition

The George Town Conurbation comprises the entirety of Penang, Kedah's southernmost towns of Sungai Petani, Kulim and Bandar Baharu, and Kerian in Perak, covering an area of 3,961 km2 (1,529 sq mi). [6]

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Local government areas within the George Town Conurbation

Population by local government area

The population table is based on the official census of 2020 for the local government areas within the George Town Conurbation.

Local government areaLocal government bodyPopulation
Penang Island Penang Island City Council 794,313
Seberang Perai Seberang Perai City Council 946,092
Sungai Petani Sungai Petani Municipal Council 545,053
Kulim Kulim Municipal Council 319,056
Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park Local Authority18,679
Bandar Baharu Bandar Baharu District Council44,412
Kerian Kerian District Council166,352
George Town Conurbation2,833,957

Transportation

The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in George Town Lim Chong Eu Expressway(facing south).jpg
The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in George Town

Land

George Town is connected to mainland Peninsular Malaysia by two bridges. The 13.5 km (8.4 mi) Penang Bridge, completed in 1985, spans the Penang Strait between Gelugor on the island and Perai on the mainland. The 24 km (15 mi) long Second Penang Bridge was opened in 2014, linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland.

Both the North–South Expressway and the Malayan Railway's West Coast Line provide direct overland connection between Sungai Petani, Seberang Perai, Bandar Baharu, Kerian and the west coast of the peninsula, while Kulim and its Hi-Tech Park are accessible from Seberang Perai via the Butterworth–Kulim Expressway.

Within George Town itself, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway is a vital coastal highway that runs along the island's eastern seaboard, connecting the city centre with the Penang Bridge, the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, the Penang International Airport and the Second Penang Bridge. The Federal Route 6 is a pan-island trunk road, while the two major ring roads in the city are the George Town Inner Ring Road and the Penang Middle Ring Road.

Public transportation

Penang Sentral serves as the main public transport hub within Penang Penang Sentral Bus Terminal, Butterworth 20230307 104829.jpg
Penang Sentral serves as the main public transport hub within Penang
A Rapid Penang double-decker. Rapid Penang is the sole public bus operator within the conurbation. RapidPenang Alexander Dennis Enviro 500.jpg
A Rapid Penang double-decker. Rapid Penang is the sole public bus operator within the conurbation.

Public bus services are mainly provided by Rapid Penang, which operates 56 routes within the conurbation, including interstate routes into Kedah and Perak. Among the routes are free-of-charge transit services such as the Central Area Transit, the Congestion Alleviation Transport and the Pulau Tikus Loop. [9]

Meanwhile, the only rail-based transportation system within Penang is the century-old Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway to the peak of Penang Hill. The Penang state government has also drawn up plans to introduce urban rail throughout Penang, as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan. [10] [11] The 29 km (18 mi) Bayan Lepas LRT line, stretching between Tanjung Bungah and Bayan Lepas with an interchange station at Komtar, is being prioritised for construction. [12] [13] Other lines being proposed are a cross-strait light rail line linking George Town and Butterworth, a monorail line connecting the centre of George Town with Air Itam and Paya Terubong, and a tram line limited to within George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Site. [14] [15] [16] [17]

Efforts are also being undertaken to promote pedestrianisation and the use of bicycles as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. [18] [19] Dedicated cycling lanes have been paved throughout the city and in 2016, George Town became the first Malaysian city to operate a public bicycle-sharing service, with the inauguration of LinkBike. [20] [21] [22]

Penang Sentral at Butterworth is the main transit hub within Penang. It is adjacent to the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal and the Butterworth railway station, allowing it to function as a termini for public and interstate buses, ferry and train services.

Air

The Penang International Airport (PEN) at Bayan Lepas serves as the main airport for northern Malaysia, with frequent links to major regional cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Doha. Penang International Airport is Malaysia's second busiest in terms of cargo traffic and recorded the third highest passenger traffic of all Malaysian airports as of 2013. [23]

The airport is also a hub for two Malaysian low-cost carriers - AirAsia and Firefly. [24] Among the international carriers that operate out of the airport are Scoot, Jetstar Asia Airways, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Thai Smile and Qatar Airways.

Sea

Penang Port.jpg
The Port of Penang with George Town in the background, as seen from Butterworth
A Penang Ferry crossing the Penang Strait. Penang ferries2023.jpg
A Penang Ferry crossing the Penang Strait.

The Port of Penang, the main harbour in northern Malaysia, is operated by the Penang Port Commission. The Port consists of seven facilities, with six of them in Butterworth and Perai, including the North Butterworth Container Terminal, Butterworth Deep Water Wharves and the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal. The Port of Penang, the third busiest seaport in Malaysia, handled more than 1.52 million TEUs of cargo in 2017. [25]

Meanwhile, Swettenham Pier, situated in the heart of George Town, is the sole Port facility on Penang Island. The pier now accommodates cruise ships, making it one of the major entry points into Penang. As of 2017, Swettenham Pier recorded 1.35 million tourist arrivals, thereby surpassing Port Klang as the busiest cruise shipping terminal in Malaysia. [26] [27] [28] The pier also serves as a homeport for regional-based cruise ships. [26]

The cross-strait Penang ferry service connects George Town and Butterworth, and was formerly the only transportation link between Penang Island and the mainland until the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penang</span> State in Malaysia

Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. These two halves are physically connected by the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. The state shares borders with Kedah to the north and east, and Perak to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterworth, Seberang Perai</span> Town in Malaysia

Butterworth is the largest urban town in the city of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. It lies about 3 km (1.9 mi) east of George Town, the capital city of Penang, across the Penang Strait. As of 2021, Butterworth has a total population of 107,591 residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seberang Perai</span> City in Penang, Malaysia

Seberang Perai is a city in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is situated on the Malay Peninsula opposite Penang Island, bordering Kedah to the north and east and Perak to the south. Its city centre is located in Butterworth, while its local authority, the Seberang Perai City Council, is centred near Bukit Mertajam. As of 2020, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,000, making it the third most populous city in Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North–South Expressway Northern Route</span> Major interstate expressway in Malaysia

The North–South Expressway Northern Route North–South Expressway Northern Route is an interstate controlled-access highway running parallel to the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The 460-kilometre (290-mile) expressway forms the north section of the North–South Expressway, passing through the northwestern states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor. The expressway begins at the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah where the Malaysia–Thailand border lies, and ends at Bukit Lanjan in Selangor where the expressway interchanges with the New Klang Valley Expressway. The expressway is operated by PLUS Expressways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayan Lepas</span> Suburb of George Town in Penang, Malaysia

Bayan Lepas is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located near the southeastern tip of Penang Island, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the city centre, it is home to the Penang International Airport, the third busiest airport in Malaysia, as well as one of the oldest free industrial zones in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perai</span> Neighbourhood of Seberang Perai in Penang, Malaysia

Perai is an urban settlement in the city of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. It lies at the southern bank of the Perai River and borders Butterworth to the north. Perai gave its name to the city of Seberang Perai, the mainland half of the State of Penang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batu Maung</span> Neighbourhood of George Town in Penang, Malaysia

Batu Maung is a residential neighbourhood in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located 15.7 km (9.8 mi) south of the city centre, adjacent to Bayan Lepas and the Penang International Airport. Batu Maung is home to the island terminus of the Second Penang Bridge and the southern end of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. It is also surrounded by fishing villages such as Permatang Damar Laut and Teluk Tempoyak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parit Buntar</span> Town and district capital

Parit Buntar is a town in Kerian District, Perak, Malaysia. It is bordering to Nibong Tebal in Penang and Bandar Baharu in Kedah.It is also the district capital of Kerian District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandar Baharu District</span> District of Malaysia in Kedah

The Bandar Baharu District is a town, district and state assembly constituency at the southernmost end of Kedah, Malaysia. Bandar Baharu is located along the Kedah-Penang–Perak border tripoint, 37 km (23 mi) southeast of George Town, Penang's capital city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seberang Jaya</span> Neighbourhood of Seberang Perai in Seberang Perai, Penang

Seberang Jaya is a suburb in the city of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. Located at the southern bank of the Perai River and east of Perai proper, the area was developed in the 1970s. Since then, Seberang Jaya has evolved into a booming area, with various commercial and retail developments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penang Strait</span> Strait in Malaysia

The Penang Strait is an 11 kilometre-wide strait that separates Penang Island from mainland Malay Peninsula. Penang Island is to the west of the channel, while Seberang Perai, the mainland half of the State of Penang, is to the east. The northern and southern ends of the channel join the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest maritime routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Penang</span>

The State of Penang in Malaysia, home to the country's second largest city as well as part of Malaysia's second most populous conurbation, has a relatively well-developed transport infrastructure. The city-state is well-connected by land, air and sea; the Penang International Airport is one of Malaysia's busiest, while the Port of Penang is the main harbour and transshipment hub within northern Malaysia. The North–South Expressway, the main highway along western Peninsular Malaysia, runs through Penang, while the two geographically separate halves of the state are now linked by two bridges and a ferry service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Seberang Perai District</span> District of Malaysia in Penang

The South Seberang Perai District is a district in Penang, Malaysia. It covers an area of 242 square kilometres, and had a population of 184,007 at the 2020 Census. The district is bordered by Junjong River that separates Central Seberang Perai in the north, Kedah state border in the east, Perak state border in the south and the South Channel that separates Penang Island. Rivers that flow through South Seberang Perai are Junjong River, Jawi River and Kerian River. The capital of this district is Sungai Jawi and the largest town is Nibong Tebal. Other towns such as Batu Kawan, Bukit Tambun, Simpang Ampat, Sungai Bakap and Valdor are also located in this district. South Seberang Perai is thriving with the fishing industry and agriculture. Oil palm plantations covers most parts of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian Expressway System</span> System of expressways in Malaysia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teluk Air Tawar</span> Suburbs of Butterworth in North Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia

Teluk Air Tawar is a suburb of Butterworth, located in North Seberang Perai district and north of the Butterworth city centre in Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. Teluk Air Tawar means "Clear water bay" in the Malay language. This seaside town has a scenic view of George Town, Penang and Penang Island across the sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayan Lepas LRT line</span> Proposed Malaysian rail transit line

The Bayan Lepas LRT line is an under construction light rapid transit (LRT) line in the Malaysian state of Penang. As part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), it will spans 26.8 km (16.7 mi) line within the main underground station of KOMTAR in the city center of George Town with the industrial town of Bayan Lepas to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kulim Hi-Tech Park</span> Place in Kedah, Malaysia

The Kulim Hi-Tech Park is an industrial park for high technology enterprises located in Kulim District, Kedah, Malaysia. It was opened in 1996 and is Malaysia's first high-tech industrial park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Penang</span> Port in Malaysia

The Port of Penang is a deepwater seaport within the Malaysian state of Penang. It consists of terminals along the Penang Strait, including five in Seberang Perai and one in George Town. The Port of Penang was the third busiest harbour in Malaysia in terms of cargo as of 2017, handling 1.52 million TEUs of cargo, as well as the busiest port-of-call within the country for cruise shipping.

References

  1. ↑ "Government banks on intensive urbanisation to pull investment". The Malaysian Insider. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Turning Penang into a model state". The Edge. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  3. ↑ "The State of Penang, Malaysia : Self-Evaluation Report" (PDF). OECD Reviews of Higher Education in Regional and City Development. National Higher Education Research Institute (2010).
  4. ↑ "Northern Corridor Economic Region Strategic Development Plan (2021-2025)" (PDF). Northern Corridor Economic Region .
  5. ↑ "An Overview of Spatial Policy in Malaysia". www.mlit.go.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  6. 1 2 Homi Kharas, Albert Zeufack, Hamdan Majeed. "Cities, People and the Economy: A Study on Positioning Penang" (PDF). Khazanah Nasional, World Bank .{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ admin. "Penang welcomes the Federal Government's initiative by Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak to co-develop a Greater Penang Masterplan – Lim Guan Eng" . Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  8. ↑ Gooi Hsiao Leung, Ooi Kee Beng, Francis Loh Kok Wah. "Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia" (PDF). Penang Institute.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Opalyn Mok (5 March 2018). "Penang to launch another free bus service next month". Malay Mail .
  10. ↑ Ooi, Kee Beng (2010). Pilot Studies for a New Penang. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN   9789814279697.
  11. ↑ "Constitution of Malaysia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Mok, Opalyn (2023-05-11). "Penang at 'tender stage' for LRT project, says Kon Yeow". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  13. ↑ "Penang's first LRT alignment is now from Bayan Lepas to Tanjong Bungah | Buletin Mutiara". www.buletinmutiara.com/. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  14. ↑ "Penang to ease island's transport woes". The Straits Times . April 17, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Keeping folk in the know - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  16. ↑ Loh, Arnold. "More rail access for Penang - Nation | The Star Online" . Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  17. ↑ Chow, Tan Sin (15 August 2015). "Trams making comeback under RM27bil Penang plan". The Star .
  18. ↑ Opalyn Mok (9 August 2016). "Making George Town more walkable, one street at a time". Malay Mail .
  19. ↑ Opalyn Mok (1 March 2018). "Penang streetscapes to be more pedestrian friendly, says exco". Malay Mail .
  20. ↑ "Penang tourism: Promoting cycle lanes in urban heritage areas". The Sun . 24 January 2015.
  21. ↑ Arnold Loh (29 April 2016). "Pedal power can set a new benchmark of liveability in Penang". The Star . Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  22. ↑ Lilian Chan (8 February 2017). "Penang to be first cycling state". Buletin Mutiara.
  23. ↑ "Malaysia Airports". Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  24. ↑ "Handy Penang airport information from Skyscanner". www.skyscanner.com.my. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  25. ↑ Chong, Kah Yuan (26 February 2018). "Penang Port allocates RM186mil capex for two years". The Star .
  26. 1 2 Filmer, Andrea (1 October 2015). "Is Penang's tourism on the right track?". Penang Monthly. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Edmund Lee (20 December 2017). "Swettenham Pier surpasses Port Klang as top port of call for cruise ships". The Sun .
  28. ↑ "More liners to visit Penang". The Star . 16 December 2017.

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