Latest news with #pedestrianfriendly
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Greener streets, cooler city: How Penang plans to refresh Unesco-listed George Town
GEORGE TOWN, July 20 — In George Town's historic core, one of Penang's oldest roads is about to get a major facelift, not just for heritage, but for the climate. Beach Street, once a waterfront artery for commerce and now a bustling financial centre, has been selected as the starting point for Penang's ambitious plan to cool down its inner city and return its streets to people, not just cars. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is launching a RM24.7 million pilot project that will transform a 1.76km loop around Beach Street into a climate-responsive, pedestrian-friendly zone. MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the aim is to reclaim public space and combat the heat island effect caused by concrete, tarmac, and the dense rows of old shophouses. 'We want to bring down urban temperatures by planting more trees and at the same time, increase the walkway width while reducing the carriageway,' he told Malay Mail in a recent interview. A map of the area identified for the PNBCAP @ Beach Street initiative, courtesy of MBPP The project is partly funded by a World Bank Adaptation Fund grant under the Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme for Urban Areas of Penang Island (PNBCAP), with MBPP covering the other half. 'This can be replicated in other streets in the city and it can be a model for other cities to replicate to bring down urban heat and improve walkability,' Rajendran said. He said stakeholder engagement sessions have so far been positive and the council has already awarded the contract, with work slated to begin on September 1 and complete by February 2027. The planned works will go beyond cosmetic upgrades. What to expect Footpaths will be widened, more trees planted, and new pocket parks added to encourage walking while reducing temperatures. The Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, now surrounded by a traffic roundabout, will be transformed into a focal point for a pedestrian pocket park with safe street crossings. To make space for the changes, Beach Street and Church Street Ghaut will be converted into one-way streets, while the number of roadside parking spaces in the loop will be reduced from 293 to just 100. An artist's impression of the PNBCAP @ Beach Street initiative that will introduce wider walkways and more trees into George Town, Penang. — Picture courtesy of MBPP The project will also introduce clean energy solutions. These include solar panels to power street lights and phone charging stations, and a kinetic walkway that captures energy from footsteps to power low-energy infrastructure. Soil cell systems – underground structures that help trees grow healthy roots without damaging pavements – will be used to support the new trees. But for all its future-looking ambitions, this project is deeply rooted in George Town's past. An artist's impression of the PNBCAP @ Beach Street initiative that will introduce wider walkways and more trees into George Town, Penang. — Picture courtesy of MBPP Here is a closer look at the streets involved. Roads affected Beach Street, laid out in 1786 along with Light Street and Chulia Street, was among the first roads drawn up after Francis Light arrived in Penang. Originally hugging the eastern shoreline, it lost its coastal view after major land reclamations in the late 19th century pushed the sea further east. Today, it remains one of the busiest streets in George Town, lined with banks, offices, and heritage shophouses. But the upgrade will reach beyond Beach Street to the adjacent roads – each with their own layered stories. Weld Quay, for instance, was born of the same 19th-century land reclamation that distanced Beach Street from the sea. Named after Sir Frederick Weld, a former Governor of the Straits Settlements, the road once connected George Town to its thriving port and continues to serve as a vital link to Swettenham Pier, the Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal and RapidPenang's bus terminal. Chulia Street Ghaut, once a simple sandy track to the shoreline, emerged from that same wave of reclamation as an extension of Chulia Street, directly linking to Weld Quay. It now traces the old footprint of Yeoh Kongsi, a clan house once open to the waterfront. An artist's impression of the PNBCAP @ Beach Street initiative that will introduce wider walkways and more trees into George Town, Penang. — Picture courtesy of MBPP Pesara King Edward (also known as King Edward's Place), a short but significant stretch, connects Light Street to Weld Quay and was created during land reclamation between 1880 and 1904. It is home to early 20th-century godowns and post-war office buildings, and leads directly to Swettenham Pier and Penang Port Sdn Bhd's headquarters. Downing Street, inspired by its London namesake, was once the seat of British administration in Penang after land reclamation in the early 1880s. Though many of its colonial buildings were lost during World War II, the road remains a key part of the city's administrative memory, now occupied by a large parking lot. Church Street Ghaut was added as a reclamation-era extension of Church Street, historically lined with warehouses that supported George Town's maritime trade. Today, those old godowns are being revitalised as trendy cafés, art galleries and boutique lodgings. China Street Ghaut, once a boundary road for the Chinese tradesmen community, shares a similar story – created during the late 19th-century reclamation and now part of the city's heritage grid. Victoria Street, once mudflats along the coast, was built between 1880 and 1904 and earned the local Hokkien name hai kee sin lor, meaning 'new road by the sea.' Only a short 200-metre section of this nearly 1km-long road will be included in the redevelopment, but its transformation is no less symbolic. An artist's impression of the PNBCAP @ Beach Street initiative that will introduce wider walkways and more trees into George Town, Penang. — Picture courtesy of MBPP Across the entire loop, the MBPP aims to not only reduce surface temperatures but also bring back vibrancy through greener, safer streets. With climate change looming and urban temperatures rising, Penang hopes the new Beach Street can be both a nod to the past – and a blueprint for the future.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado city of Englewood reimagining what parts South Broadway will look like
The City of Englewood recently launched an effort to re-imagine what parts of South Broadway will look like. It's part of the South Broadway Revitalization Project which focuses on just over two miles from Jefferson Avenue to Belleview Avenue. South Broadway runs through the heart of the city that lies just south of Denver, and that stretch of the road already features small local businesses, an arts district and community events. But those who work, live and play in the area want it to be more pedestrian-friendly and welcoming for people and businesses alike. "It's not walkable for a number of reasons," said Ryan Kelly, the owner of Hum Furniture. "It feels like a lot like, almost like a highway. People are zooming past. It seems more geared towards cars getting to their next destination than serving the community around us." Many added it often feels like a commuter stretch, especially in the area about a mile away from downtown Englewood. "It can make walking here a little bit dicey. I've also noticed that this area of Englewood is not an area that people look at as a destination or a place to spend a lot of time," said Whitney Bradford, who opened Western Sky Bar & Taproom nearly four years ago. Surrounding Bradford's business are some vacant buildings, some other small businesses and another bar across the street. "This is a really good example of where there could be some more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure," said Bradford. "I don't know how many times I've seen people dart across Broadway to go from Western Sky to the Englewood Tavern, and it's pretty scary." With the South Broadway Revitalization Project, the city hopes to make improvements by focusing on nine strategy areas, including safety, economic development and redevelopment. The city has also created strategy groups, in which Bradford is part of several. "I would also like to see some food options, a coffee shop, something like that, to where we can really try to become like a cohesive business community and support each other through this corridor," said Bradford. "So, to get it done, we probably need a couple of destinations where communities that are surrounding it can come and enjoy," said Kelly. "If the city could do something like that, I think it would be amazing." The project also includes adding more amenities and public art and hosting more signature events, with the overall goal of bringing more vibrancy to the area that some say is overlooked. "That's something that I'm really excited about, and getting more people to be able to come together on this side of town and meet their neighbors and have a good time," said Bradford. "I'm excited to hopefully see some new businesses being enticed to the area, some more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, more greenery, a facelift and more color. I'm just really looking forward to this, this area kind of getting into their untapped potential." The revitalization project is still in the early stages. The City of Englewood is now asking the community to weigh in and share their thoughts on the future of the corridor through community surveys and public meetings. For more information about the project or to share your thoughts, visit
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Road junction could be replaced with 'pocket park'
A road junction could be closed and replaced with a "pocket park" as part of new plans to re-design a Sussex village's shopping area. Adur District Council has released plans for changes to Lancing in North Road, North Farm Road and Penstone Park aimed and making the area more pedestrian friendly. The changes would be funded through money from a partnership with West Sussex County Council, with work potentially beginning at the start of 2026 if approved. Councillor Becky Allinson, cabinet member for regeneration, said the plans aim to "revitalise the village" and make it greener and more accessible. The new park in the North Farm Road junction would include trees, planting and seating to "encourage people to spend time" outdoors. Also included in the plans are a new planting and seating area at the end of Penstone Park, with the entrance made one way and the road narrowed. West Sussex County Councillor Garry Wall, cabinet member for economy, said the scheme could be funded buy pooling money from business rates to "support delivery of a viable scheme". A consultation on the plans, which are available on the district council's website, will run until 27 July. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Parking charges introduced for motorcycles Council recognised for cycling and walking plans Adur District Council
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lancing road junction could be closed for park, Adur Council says
A road junction could be closed and replaced with a "pocket park" as part of new plans to re-design a Sussex village's shopping District Council has released plans for changes to Lancing in North Road, North Farm Road and Penstone Park aimed and making the area more pedestrian changes would be funded through money from a partnership with West Sussex County Council, with work potentially beginning at the start of 2026 if Becky Allinson, cabinet member for regeneration, said the plans aim to "revitalise the village" and make it greener and more accessible. The new park in the North Farm Road junction would include trees, planting and seating to "encourage people to spend time" included in the plans are a new planting and seating area at the end of Penstone Park, with the entrance made one way and the road Sussex County Councillor Garry Wall, cabinet member for economy, said the scheme could be funded buy pooling money from business rates to "support delivery of a viable scheme".A consultation on the plans, which are available on the district council's website, will run until 27 July.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Road junction could be replaced with 'pocket park'
A road junction could be closed and replaced with a "pocket park" as part of new plans to re-design a Sussex village's shopping area. Adur District Council has released plans for changes to Lancing in North Road, North Farm Road and Penstone Park aimed and making the area more pedestrian friendly. The changes would be funded through money from a partnership with West Sussex County Council, with work potentially beginning at the start of 2026 if approved. Councillor Becky Allinson, cabinet member for regeneration, said the plans aim to "revitalise the village" and make it greener and more accessible. The new park in the North Farm Road junction would include trees, planting and seating to "encourage people to spend time" outdoors. Also included in the plans are a new planting and seating area at the end of Penstone Park, with the entrance made one way and the road narrowed. West Sussex County Councillor Garry Wall, cabinet member for economy, said the scheme could be funded buy pooling money from business rates to "support delivery of a viable scheme". A consultation on the plans, which are available on the district council's website, will run until 27 July. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Parking charges introduced for motorcycles Council recognised for cycling and walking plans Adur District Council
