On 29 January 2024, a ceremony was held by the Penang State Government and Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang to announce the completion of the Linear Garden project. Located in the North Seafront Precinct of the George Town World Heritage Site, the Linear Garden is a central component of the North Seafront Masterplan. The new garden contains some 60 newly-planted native trees, improved public accessibility and the installation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site emblem. The project provides a state-of-the-art solution to the rehabilitation of public open spaces and restoration adaptive re-use of historic structures within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Linear Garden is a key component of the North Seafront Masterplan in the George Town World Heritage Site; The project was developed by the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC)—a partnership between the Penang State Government’s Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Think City, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Located between Lebuh Duke and the Seawall Promenade, this landscaped green space enhances public access to the waterfront while providing a quiet retreat along the historic seafront. Constructed in six months at a cost of RM1.2 million (USD270,000), the garden features two parallel pathways shaded by over sixty newly planted native trees, added to the existing mahogany and yellow flame trees. At its centre, a circular seating area displays a bronze UNESCO World Heritage Site emblem crafted by a local sculptor. As part of the transformation, the original playground was relocated, making way for a larger new play area near Fort Cornwallis.
A prominent feature of the garden is the restored Cenotaph, a 1929 war memorial inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens’ Whitehall Cenotaph in London, honouring Allied soldiers. The redesign removes former barriers and introduces a circular arrangement of granite blocks engraved with the Veterans Memorial Wall text by one of Penang’s last traditional tombstone engravers. Local artisans were engaged throughout the project, reinforcing support for traditional trades. The initiative reflects key UN Sustainable Development Goals—supporting well-being, improved and inclusive public open space, and sustainable urban development.