Penang
Penang
A story of
resilience
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Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is divided by the South China Sea into two main regions.
The state of
Penang
is on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Penang is also made up of two regions connected by bridges and ferries—Penang Island and Seberang Perai.
Source: Think City
Industrial landscape marks the horizon in Seberang Perai
Image: Nikita Belokhonov
A blend of heritage and development shapes George Town
Population
 K
Climate
 
Penang's population rose from less than 800 thousand in 1970 to
1.8 million
in 2023.
Population Trends for Penang Island and Mainland between 1991 and 2040.

The state's population has grown rapidly—but not evenly. While parts of the island have stayed stable, Seberang Perai is seeing more rapid expansion, driven by available land and new development.

Population Change by Mukim between 2010 and 2020 (Map) – population growth. Source: Think City.

Out of the two regions, Seberang Perai is expected to expand more rapidly.

As cities expand, they are also getting hotter and facing more
extreme weather
events.

In 2020,
Flash floods
on mainland Penang displaced 148 people and led to the opening of two relief centres.
More events have followed:

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more!
2020
Flash floods on mainland.
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2021
Minor floods on Penang Island.
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2022
Heavy rains led to flooding in Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru, and Bukit Jambul.
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2024
Intense downpours and winds caused severe flooding.
And what
about the heat?
Cities in Penang are much hotter than nearby rural areas. With more industry, less green space and rapid urban growth, they absorb, trap and slowly release heat—creating an urban heat island effect that puts cities under heat domes.

Temperatures have been rising for the past decade and are expected to keep rising.

Heatwaves, floods and rising costs are
reshaping life in the city
. Penang is already feeling the pressure and getting ready for the future.

Image: Wan San Yip
Penang is preparing for the
future
.
What do you want to know?
How
resilient is Penang?

How resilient is Penang?

Understanding risks is the first step in defining the right strategy and creating enabling environments where communities can thrive.
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What
is Penang’s Resilience Strategy?

Urban resilience is a city’s ability to bounce back and adapt to challenges.

WATER Resilience
3 portfolios
12 projects
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Investing in Penang’s resilience will enable safer, more sustainable, and more resilient communities that can thrive in change.

Penang’s resilience strategy is built around 4 pillars. These pillars respond to the key challenges identified during the resilience assessment—shaped by local voices, local knowledge, data and future risks.

Each pillar includes one or more portfolios of projects that bring the strategy to life.

WATER Resilience
HEAT Resilience
FUTURE Ready
ENABLING Resilience
Who
is involved?

Who is involved?

In 2024, Penang Island and Seberang Perai, in collaboration with the Penang State Government and with the support of Micron Gives, joined the Resilient Cities Network and formed a coalition of public, private, and philanthropic partners. This partnership marked the beginning of Penang’s journey to develop its resilience strategy.
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Stakeholder engagement has been central to developing this strategy.

Talking
between areas

R-Cities and Think City facilitated a City Resilience Assessment and a Stakeholder and Ecosystem Mapping Workshop. This was conducted as part of a Baseline Resilience Assessment for city officials of Penang Island and Seberang Perai.

The workshops were held to validate Penang's key shocks and stresses, review existing strategies to address them, gather relevant information, and identify key stakeholders.

Talking with
stakeholders

Focus Group Discussions were conducted with representatives from state and federal government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs. These discussions highlighted interconnected urban challenges and emphasized the need for integrated solutions.

Key areas covered included shocks and stresses, resilience initiatives, emerging resilience themes, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, as well as challenges and opportunities. The valuable insights from these discussions will inform the development of the Penang Resilience Strategy.

Focus themes
Social
Organisations: 7
Participants: 11
Environmental
Organisations: 11
Participants: 15
Infrastructure
Organisations: 6
Participants: 7
Youth
Organisations: 5
Participants: 12
Economic
Organisations: 7
Participants: 9
Participants at the Infrastructure Resilience FGD discussed plans around alleviating traffic congestion and transitioning to clean energy sources.
Dr Matt Benson and Datin Bharathi discuss strategies for positioning Penang as a financial and global business services hub.
University students at the Youth Resilience Focus Group Discussion.
The Environmental Resilience FGD participants highlighted unsustainable development as a major stress.
The Social Resilience FGD included healthcare practitioners.
Each partner—spanning multiple levels of government and sectors—contributes unique expertise and resources, ensuring the resilience strategy reflects diverse perspectives and leads to more impactful outcomes.
Micron provides funding for the development of Penang Resilience Strategy.
Did you know that Micron, a global leader in memory and storage solutions, extends its impact beyond technology through the Micron Foundation? The foundation supports initiatives focused on education, environmental sustainability, and community resilience worldwide. By funding projects like the Penang Resilience Strategy, Micron contributes to help cities and communities develop the tools and infrastructure needed to thrive in the face of climate change, fostering innovation while addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.
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Think City serves as the local partner for R-Cities to help the state and cities in developing their strategy.
Did you know that Think City has been instrumental in revitalizing urban spaces across Malaysia, starting with George Town, Penang? As a social purpose organization, Think City focuses on improving cities through placemaking, heritage conservation, and sustainable urban solutions. Their community-centric approach has transformed underutilized spaces into thriving hubs of activity, promoting social inclusion and resilience while preserving the city's rich cultural heritage.
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Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
Did you know that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is at the forefront of green city initiatives in Malaysia? MBSP has been recognized for its ambitious sustainability programs, such as the Low Carbon City Framework, waste-to-energy projects, and efforts to increase urban greenery. These initiatives not only reduce the city's carbon footprint but also enhance the quality of life for residents, making Seberang Perai a model for other cities aiming to balance development with environmental protection.
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Diverse perspectives that lead to impactful results.
Penang State.
Did you know that Penang State is pioneering efforts in sustainability and resilience, positioning itself as a leader in climate adaptation and urban innovation? Through initiatives like the Penang2030 vision, the state is focused on creating a balanced, livable environment by improving public infrastructure, enhancing green spaces, and promoting inclusive economic growth. Penang is also actively working to mitigate climate risks, ensuring the state is prepared for future environmental challenges while fostering a thriving, resilient community.
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Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Did you know that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) plays a crucial role in driving sustainable urban development and environmental stewardship on the island? MBPP leads various green initiatives, from promoting low-carbon cities and enhancing public transportation to increasing urban green spaces and managing climate risks. Their efforts aim to create a more livable, resilient Penang Island, ensuring that future development aligns with both environmental sustainability and the well-being of the local community.
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R-Cities (Resilient Cities Network).
Did you know that R-Cities (Resilient Cities Network) connects cities worldwide to share knowledge, strategies, and solutions for building urban resilience? Through its global network, R-Cities empowers cities to tackle challenges like climate change, urbanization, and social inequality by fostering collaboration and innovation. By working together, member cities can implement sustainable projects that improve infrastructure, enhance community well-being, and build stronger, more adaptable cities for the future.
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RESILIENT