30 July 2012 | last updated at 12:42AM

The plot ratio thickens in the tale of Penang

By PHUAH KEN LIN 0 comments

A RECENT technical study has ranked Penang below Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur in urbanisation development.

Perhaps that might prompt the local council to re-look and revise its planning guidelines to maximise land use in the state.

The current population density to plot ratio of one to five in urban Penang clearly lags behind Singapore (one to 12), Hong Kong (one to 15) and even Kuala Lumpur (one to 10).

Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) councillor Ng Chek Siang has said that the island faced acute land shortage, with land available for development limited to a mere 17 per cent the total land area, according to the planning department.

He concurred that a high density and compact city form would be the most ideal development pattern for the island state in the near future.

For that to happen, Ng said the existing planning guidelines needed to change to accommodate the growing population and economic and social demands.

Penang's current population density to plot ratio in the urban area is too low and many would tend to agree with Ng's proposal for Penang to close the gap with other cities.

It is every Penangite's hope to see more efficient land use, the retention of green space and an effective and sustainable public transport system.

In a way, credit should go to the MPPP for recognising the need for high-density residential schemes in urban areas to make more efficient use of land and make the provision of public services and facilities more cost-effective.

"High density maximises public transport usage while minimising the distance travelled between sites on day-to-day activities. The approach also reduces energy and infrastructure costs," Ng was quoted as saying at a full board council meeting recently,

The island's population, Ng pointed out, was estimated to increase by 30 per cent come 2030.

It is heartening to see the MPPP trying to house the population in the cities and stop converting dwindling hill and agriculture land into residential land.

High-density cities have a better chance at achieving more sustainable transport systems, which is in line with the Penang Traffic Master Plan to have a 40 per cent public ridership.

Already, Singapore's public ridership stands at about 50 per cent. It is high time Penang, which public ridership comes up to a mere 10 per cent, follows the path that the high-density and compact city has taken.

A compact city comes with a population density great enough to sustain an integrated, effective public transport system.

There is less need or distance to travel within a compact city, which makes walking or cycling viable options the the citizenry.

Can we achieve it all? The answer is a resounding "yes" if the state authorities have the political will move Penang into a new direction in urban planning.

More importantly, the developers must also share the vision and act accordingly by building more compact premises.

That is why it is imperative for the MPPP to come out with a urbanisation master plan that will breath new life into the city.

At the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, the cauldron was lit by seven young athletes, in line with its tagline to "Inspire a Generation" and a symbol of the need to constantly think outside the box to scale new heights.

The colourful, cheeky and entertaining performances from a star-studded cast were awe-inspiring, to say the least, reminding us that there are no mountains too high to climb.

Perhaps we as Malaysians, more specifically Penangites, can also feel the spirit of the Olympics, which kicked off with a bang.

"Let the Games begin" at the event, which athletes and feats will be holding us enthralled over the next fortnight.

Let us hope the same spirit will prevail in the urbanisation of Penang.