Background

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture's (AKTC) cooperation with Malaysian institutions begun in 2013 and focused primarily on George Town, the historic portion of Penang nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The collaboration led to the preparation of a Strategic Master Plan (SMP) and advancement of action area planning in the town’s key public areas. Since 2015, following the establishment of the public/private George Town Conservation and Development Company (GTCDC), AKTC has worked with the State of Penang and Think City, contributing to the implementation of numerous, high-profile projects within the heritage site. Think City is currently exploring other opportunities and synergies with AKTC centred on Penang and Kuala Lumpur with the aim of providing state-of-the-art solutions to the rehabilitation of public open spaces, restoration and adaptive re-use of historic structures, museological initiatives and tourism-related developments. Of special relevance are the rehabilitation of Penang’s east seafront with the creation of a maritime museum in one of the site’s historic godowns, as well as general advice on the KL’s Dataran Merdeka precinct, with a focus on museological initiatives, and on the Creative District Strategic Master Plan.

Awareness of the role of culture and cultural heritage is at the heart of the common approach of the joint Think City / AKTC collaboration. This is based on the belief that investment in cultural assets can provide a springboard for socio-economic development and meaningful employment in multiple sectors, while offering social and educational benefits by reinforcing a sense of belonging and solidarity within communities.

To date, completed projects and initiatives in Penang include the rehabilitation of Armenian Park (2016), preparation of Conservation Management Plan for the 18th c. Fort Cornwallis (2016), the drainage upgrading of the Esplanade (2017), the restoration of the Fountain Garden on the south side of the Esplanade (2018), the reinstatement of two historic boulevards, China Ghaut and Lebuh Light, respectively in 2018 and 2019, the restoration of the mid-19th c. al-Attas Mansion (2021) and the rehabilitation and establishment of the seawall and public promenade along George Town’s seafront (2022-2023). The latter has been awarded the Excellence Award under the Professional Design Category, as well as the Preservation and Conservation Award for the 2024 Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA). In addition to its work in Penang, AKTC has also provided in the past technical and museological services for the rehabilitation and expansion of the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur (Muzium Negara). AKTC completed and presented the Muzium Negara Conservation Management Plan in November of 2016.

Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis acted as the cornerstone of the historic town and the frontier of power, economics and the early communities of colonial Penang. The significant values of the World Heritage Site arose from the relationship between the Fort and the realm around it. Initially, it was its defence system that allowed protection for the township and a sense of security for its growing population.

South Moat

Buried for over a century, the 19th-century moat that once encircled Fort Cornwallis – one of Penang’s most famous landmarks – has been undergoing reinstatement along its southern and western sides. This latest effort follows the rehabilitation of the Seawall Promenade, completed in 2022 and recognised with the Project of the Year 2024 Award from the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia. Restoration of the south moat will further enhance the North Seafront, designated as a priority conservation area within the UNESCO George Town World Heritage Site.

The East India Company began constructing the moat in 1804 as a defensive measure during the Napoleonic Wars, and its historical significance is well-documented, with recent archaeological excavations confirming its original structure. In 1921, the moat was filled in part because of public health concerns following an outbreak of malaria, but mainly to facilitate the then planned demolition of the fort. Shortly after being filled, floods reported in the Esplanade revealed the moat’s crucial role as a reserve catchment area, protecting the Padang and the low-lying interior court of Fort Cornwallis from water overflow.

Tourism is vital to Penang’s economy, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site status is a key draw. Hence, master planning of the entire heritage area – which accounts for visitor flow and commerce as well as site conservation – is of vital importance. Without its moat, Fort Cornwallis is incomplete. Reinstating it not only completes the monument’s historical narrative for future generations – offering locals and visitors a deeper connection to Penang's rich cultural heritage – but also expands public space and amenities in the central concourse area.

The moat reinforces Penang’s environmentally conscious approach to urban design. The new water body and its surrounding landscape reduce the heat island effect and introduce a green habitat with associated wildlife in the heart of the historic area. This 4,000m2 reservoir improves drainage in the nearby Esplanade and reduces flood risks during heavy rains. Natural aggregate filters and a plant-based bioretention swale reduce the risk of illnesses from stagnant water, which previously required the moat to be buried. The restored moat illustrates the synergies that can be achieved between urban planning, nature conservation and climatic change mitigation. The new ecosystem at the moat is evolving and brings new surprises every day.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture