Rethinking conservation of Malaysia world heritage site livability: The case of Chew Jetty, Penang

Abstract

The designation of George Town, Penang as one of the world heritage sites has brought numerous impacts on the region and local communities. The main issue of world heritage sites includes livability and strict heritage management which produced challenges for the residents to sustain. This paper aims to study livability and heritage inheritance and rethink the conservation planning of the heritage site. It is imperative to understand the direct impact of tourism and strict rules and regulations pressure from the world heritage site designation on the livability of the residents in the heritage site and start addressing this livability issue to regain the balance and equilibrium between the residential and tourism sector. The Chew Jetty has been selected as the case study area. The research of the site is done by thorough site analysis including multiple contexts, which are historical context, physical context, sociocultural context, issues threats and challenges, and government policies and development plans using material and resources available online as well as in-depth interviews with residents. The paper shows that the conservation planning set by the authority has driven away the livability of Chew Jetty and is losing the intangible aspects of Chew Jetty.