The document discusses the Special Area Plan (SAP) prepared for the George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS) in Penang, Malaysia. The SAP acts as a conservation management plan to guide development within the area. It was prepared according to the Town and Country Planning Act of 1976 and includes detailed proposals, guidelines, and management strategies. The preparation of the SAP involved a participatory process including focus group discussions and public hearings to gather community and stakeholder input on issues regarding buildings, landscaping, traffic, and cultural/social aspects. The SAP contains chapters that outline development guidelines, heritage building controls, and proposals for public spaces, access, and infrastructure improvements within the GTWHS.

1. Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site
JABATAN PERANCANG BANDAR DAN DESA
NEGERI PULAU PINANG
Special Area Plan: What is It and
Why is It Relevant?

2. Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site
Plan prepared for the George Town World Heritage
Site (GTWHS) to guide and control development
within the area.
The SAP shall act as a conservation management
plan for GTWHS.
Prepared by the State Authority under provision of
the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).
The SAP includes detailed proposals, guidelines and
management strategies for implementation

3. Planning development system in Peninsular
Malaysia is in accordance to the provisions of
Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 (Act 172)
comprising 4 stages:
1. National Physical Plan (NPP);
2. State Structure Plan (PSP);
3. Local Plan (LP); and
4. Special Area Plan (SAP).
SAP is the most detailed level at which the size
of the smaller and manageable
NPP
NATIONAL
PHYSICAL PLAN
PSP
PENANG
STRUCTURE PLAN
PLP
PENANG
LOCAL PLAN
(ISLAND) 2020
(under preparation)
SAP
SPECIAL AREA PLAN
GEORGE TOWN WHS
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

4. Provision of Preparing SAP
SAP is prepared according to Section 16B, Town and Country
Planning Act 1976, (Act 172) as follows:
a. Subsection 16B (1)
• SAP can be prepared at any time during the preparation or upon
the coming into effect of a structure plan or a local plan
• A State Director or a local planning authority, on his or its own
initiative or as directed by the State Planning Authority, may
submit to the State Planning Authority a proposal for the
designation for a special area
b. Subsection 16B (3)
• The plan for a special area shall be prepared in the same manner
as the preparation of a local plan, but there shall be incorporated
in such plan detailed guidance for its implementation and
management, and the plan shall have the effect of a Local Plan
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

5. Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site
 PREPARATION of SAP WHS @ 19/08/2010
 PREPARATION of ADDENDUM @ 25/11/2014
• Form / Establish of PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE
for SAP@ 27/01/2011
• Form / Establish of PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE
for ADDENDUM @ 26/01/2015
• PUBLICITY PROGRAM for SAP @
11/04/2011 until 18/05/2011
• PUBLICITY PROGRAM for ADDENDUM @
02/02/2015 until 09/03/2015
1. Concourse Area (In Front of Popular Bookstore)
Tingkat 2, KOMTAR
10000 Pulau Pinang
2. George Town World Heritage Incorporated Buildin
116 & 118, Lebuh Acheh,
10200 Pulau Pinang.
3. Town Hall,
Padang Kota Lama
10200 Pulau Pinang

6. PREPARATION PROCESS
OF SAP
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site
PRESS CONFERENCE for SAP @ 12/04/2011
PRESS CONFERENCE for ADDENDUM @
02/02/2015
BRIEFING SESSION for SAP @
17/04/2011 & 08/05/2011
BRIEFING SESSION for ADDENDUM @
19/02/2015 & 28/02/2015
 PUBLIC HEARING of SAP WHS @
09/08/2011 until 11/08/2011
 PUBLIC HEARING of ADDENDUM @
20/04/2015
 PRESS NOTICE of SAP WHS @
17/04/2011,08/05/2011
 PRESS NOTICE of ADDENDUM@
 30/01/2015,15/02/2015,26/02/2015

7. Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site
• PRESENTATION of SAP report to SPC @
03/12/2012 & 14/03/2013 APPROVE
• PRESENTATION of ADDENDUM report to SPC
@ 25/11/2014 & @ 15/06/2016 APPROVE
• GAZZETEMENT of SAP and ADDENDUM@
01/09/2016

8. • The SAP preparation adopts a
participatory approach, taking into
consideration the views of
communities and stakeholders.
• A series of focus group discussions
were held in George Town, where the
views of different interest groups and
non-governmental organizations were
sought.
• Perceptions and opinions on issues
related to buildings, landscaping,
traffic, developments, environment
degradation, and cultural and social
aspects were discussed.
• These views and perceptions were
taken into consideration during
planning and the formulation of
management strategies and
guidelines.
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

9. C H A P T E R C :
D E V E L O P M E N T G U I D E
P L A N F O R G E O R G E T O W N
This part contains 7 chapters giving details
actions, planning control and guidance for the
inscribed property and its buffer zone. Such
detail treatment includes zoning and use
control, heritage building control, view and
vista protection, public realm proposals, access
and circulation measures, and proposals for
improving utility and infrastructure.
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

10. C H A P T E R D :
G U I D E L I N E S F O R T H E
C O N S E R VAT I O N A R E A S
A N D H E R I TA G E B U I L D I N G S
F O R G E O R G E T O W N W H S
This part contains 7 chapters that outlines the approval
requirements for areas within the WHS that support
the built cultural landscape.
This chapter is divided into the following sections:
• Legal Provision.
• Repair, Planning and Building Control Procedu
• Supporting document required for submission.
This chapter is also concerned principally with works
that affect the special interest and character of the
cultural landscape and buildings of heritage
significance in the WHS sites or buildings identified as
Infill or Replacement on which permitted compatible
developments can take place within the WHS
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

11. C H A P T E R A N N E X U R E
Annexure A:
HERITAGE BUILDINGS OF GEORGE TOWN
• The annexure provides details on heritage
buildings in George Town in order to provide
better understanding to users of the SAP
Annexure B:
PLANNING AND DESIGN GUIDES FOR PUBLIC
REALMS
• This Annexure provides design guides for
proposed development and implementation of
public realm projects identified for North
Waterfront, East Waterfront, Clan Jetties and
Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

12. CONCLUSION
Special Area Plan (SAP)
Is a specific action plan for an area that has been identified by the State / Local Planning
Authority.
Preparation of this SAP is intended to improve immediately, redevelop, improve again, to
conserve or even to manage an area
This plan is in the form of detailed local plans tailored to specific areas of interest to the
Local Planning Authority (LPA).
SAP preparation also allows LPA expedite an action plan for an area for the purpose of
whether to immediately develop, redevelop, further improve or preserve or
management for the area.
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site

13. HAVE A NICE DAY…
Sustainable Development for
George Town World Heritage Site