 | It was good! but will not solve all the complicated problems & issues that will definitely come out of this whole 'revitalisation' process. Several issues came up & were discussed: is a multi storey car park really necessary; will the issues be solved by a change in design of the architecture or is it really smaller issues of dealing with people; issues have really come from the lack of control by MPPP & allowing a bad situation to snowball; there are issues of licensed & unlicensed stalls & how to resolve these; the green factor was presented well but all agreed that unless managed something like a hydroponic or organic urban farming area on the top floor may not work; options for top floor include a community zone; the relationship between the market & the surrounding streets, businesses, restaurants etc & how to keep this going; ideas to keep the fish, chicken, slaughter areas inside & custom cater to their needs; fruits, dried fruits veggies kept to the side of the market & out into the road where there may be some kind of roofing provided to allow business to take place during rain & shine; the issue of discussion about the project came up & that MPPP should present plans more openly; it was confirmed that discussions took place with stall holders & many ideas were discussed before these plans were done: plans get presented to the market stall holder again this month & then after reworking if necessary, the plans will be presented to the public at a later date for open discussion & feedback; discussions on who would use the carpark; does the market work as it is, do customers adapt to the problems of parking etc in the area; one of the main issues was health & sanitation especially with the slaughter of fish & chickens- how is this to be dealt with in a proper manner; will the stallholders make the changes necessary to help manage the market long term; will MPPP really provide the management & enforcement needed to sustain & ensure that the plan for the market works. Mr Yew gave a great conclusion which explained the whole process & why of what MPPP were trying to do with Chowrasta. He should do this more often! He has requested that the consultants, LLA Architects, take into consideration all the comments today & make amendments where they can. Anyone else at the meeting please add to my comments....we now await the public presentation & hope that many more people will look & comment in order to give their views. Thanks. |
 | How was the meeting? To my chagrin, it doesn't sufficiently showcase the long history of Chowrasta Market. Unfortunately most people's memory of Chowrasta goes no further back than the present 1961 building, whereas Chowrasta's history goes back to the early to mid 19th century. This is no ordinary market. It is older than many cities in Malaysia. What is amazing is that it has been on the same spot for over 150 years. Faces have changed, skin colors have changes, but Chowrasta Market is still here today. That, to me, is significant.
Previously, we have no say. When the authorities erected this 1960s market building, our mindset was "new is good, old is bad." There wasn't much room for nostalgia in the past.
But times have changed. We, the people of Penang, should now be more conscious of our history, our heritage. I for one am concerned that with each subsequent face-lift, the historic significant of Chowrasta Market will be washed away, leaving nothing behind except the name. Don't get me wrong: if the authorities want to demolish the whole thing and build anew, I don't mind, as long as they do it with complete sensitivity to this market's past while creating something congruent with the aspirations of the present, and practical to the needs of the community. But if nobody is going to remember the past, I shall at least try my best to remind them to.
At least I got to speak my mind at this meeting. And I hope the powers that be will take my view into consideration, that the long history of the market has to be preserved, showcased and celebrated. Surely this isn't too much to ask. |
Original post  | I am concerned in many ways on this project. Despite the promises of it being green and caters to various user groups, it is no longer Chowrasta Market, as we know it. It seems like the plans are to make it into a mall instead. I dread the death of another historic icon in the city..  | Market makeover ONE of the oldest markets in Penang — the Chowrasta Market — will be transformed into an iconic land... |
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