Project Title

George Town Esplanade:

The Sea Wall

 

Type

Historical Waterfront / Civic Spaces

 

Location

George Town World Heritage Site, Penang

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Client

Penang State Government

Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang

Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Think City

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Year of Completion 

2022

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Descriptions

The George Town Esplanade Sea Wall project revitalises a historic stretch of the North Seafront within the George Town World Heritage Site. Extending approximately 350 metres, the project introduces a renewed seafront promenade that strengthens public access to the waterfront while respecting the historical character of the site.

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A key feature of the design is a carefully integrated sunken passageway that reveals portions of the original historic sea wall, allowing visitors to experience and appreciate this important coastal structure at close range. The promenade is framed with indigenous coastal trees and planting, creating shaded spaces that soften the urban edge while responding to the site’s climatic and environmental conditions.

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By reconnecting the city to its shoreline, the project transforms the Esplanade into a vibrant civic space where heritage, landscape, and the ever-changing atmosphere of the sea come together. The design invites visitors to walk, pause, and experience the layered history and coastal character that define George Town’s waterfront.

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Awards