Greater Penang Conurbation

George Town Conurbation
Metropolitan area
Map
Country Malaysia
States Penang
 Kedah
 Perak
Core city George Town
Largest city Seberang Perai
Other major towns
Area
 • Total
3,765 km2 (1,454 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,843,344
 • Density756/km2 (1,960/sq mi)
GDP (2020)
 • Total$30.2 billion
 • Per capita$10,618
Time zoneUTC+8 (Malaysian Standard Time)
Postcode
09xxx, 10xxx, 11xxx, 12xxx, 13xxx, 14xxx, 32xxx
Area codes+604 (-2, -4, -5, -6 and -8)
+605 (-7 and -8)

The Greater Penang Conurbation, also known as the George Town Conurbation,[1][2] is the urban area within and surrounding the Malaysian state of Penang, including parts of neighbouring Kedah and Perak. It is the second largest conurbation in Malaysia, with a population of over 2.84 million as of 2020. The conurbation is also the second largest metropolitan economy in the country after the Klang Valley, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of over US$30 billion in 2020.[3][4][5]

As the capital city of Penang, George Town also forms the core city of the conurbation, which spans Seberang Perai, Sungai Petani, Kulim, Bandar Baharu, Yan, Alor Pongsu, Bagan Serai, Bukit Merah, Parit Buntar and Selama.[6]

History

Originally founded as an entrepôt, George Town's diversified economy is powered by the twin major sectors of manufacturing and services. Penang's path to industrialisation began in the 1970s with the establishment of free industrial zones at Bayan Lepas and Perai. As Penang's industries rapidly scaled up the value chain, the border towns in neighbouring Kedah, specifically Sungai Petani and Kulim, also started to witness economic spillover resulting from agglomeration effects and the rise in the standard of living within the former.[7] In 1996, the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) was opened as an extension of Penang's electronics manufacturing industry.[8]

However, interstate coordination in urban development was lacking, causing development policies to be disjointed while an urban sprawl radiated out of Penang's borders into Kedah and Perak. In the early 2000s, the Malaysian federal government began drafting the National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) and the National Physical Plan (NPP), in which the concept of a George Town Conurbation was borne out of the desire by policy planners to decentralise urban development in Peninsular Malaysia to four major metropolitan areas.[9][10]

In the first NUP, formulated in 2006, the George Town Conurbation was defined as spanning all of Penang, Sungai Petani, Kulim, Parit Buntar and Bagan Serai.[11] The Second National Physical Plan (NPP-2), endorsed in 2010, demarcated the George Town Conurbation as stretching from Sungai Petani in the north to Parit Buntar in the south.[2][10]

In 2011, the then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, announced plans to intensify infrastructure investment in Penang as part of a "Greater Penang Masterplan".[12] However, by 2013, there had been no further developments on the proposal, prompting then Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to question the federal government's lack of progress.[13] The strained federal-state ties following the 2013 general election resulted in the Barisan Nasional-controlled federal government cutting development expenditures for Penang, then an opposition state held by Pakatan Rakyat (predecessor to Pakatan Harapan). This situation persisted until the 2018 general election, which led to both the federal and Penang governments being helmed by the same coalition for the first time since 2008.[14]

In 2021, the Fourth National Physical Plan (NPP-4) provided a revised definition of the George Town Conurbation, which now includes Yan and Selama.[6]

Definition

The George Town Conurbation spans the entirety of Penang, Kedah's southernmost municipalities of Sungai Petani, Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Yan, and towns in northern Perak, namely Alor Pongsu, Bagan Serai, Bukit Merah, Parit Buntar and Selama. This metropolitan area cumulatively covers 3,758.8 km2 (1,451.3 sq mi) of the three states.[6]

Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
10km
6miles
10
Bukit Merah
9
Selama
8
Parit Buntar
7
Bagan Serai
6
Yan
5
Bandar Baharu
4
Kulim
3
Sungai Petani
2
Seberang Perai
1
George Town
Interactive map of the George Town Conurbation.
Click link at the top right corner to zoom in.
1
George Town
2
Seberang Perai
3
Sungai Petani
4
Kulim
5
Bandar Baharu
6
Yan
7
Bagan Serai
8
Parit Buntar
9
Selama
10
Bukit Merah

Population by local government area

See also: List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population

The following is based on official censuses for the local government areas within the George Town Conurbation since 2000.

City or town Local government Population
2000[15] 2010[16] 2020[17]
George Town Penang Island City Council 575,498 708,127 794,313
Seberang Perai Seberang Perai City Council 655,711 818,197 946,092
Sungai Petani Sungai Petani Municipal Council 339,898 443,488 545,053
Kulim Kulim Municipal Council 190,952 281,260 319,056
Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park Local Authority 18,679
Bandar Baharu[note 1] Bandar Baharu District Council N/A 41,352 44,412
Yan[note 2] Yan District Council N/A N/A 73,384
Bagan Serai[note 3] Kerian District Council 34,161 N/A 40,336
Beriah[note 4] N/A N/A 11,808
Bukit Merah[note 5] N/A N/A 130
Parit Buntar 31,116 38,756 37,300
Selama[note 6] Selama District Council N/A N/A 12,781
George Town Conurbation 1,827,336 2,331,180 2,843,344

Economy

See also: Economy of Penang

As the core of the George Town Conurbation, Penang has a diversified tertiary sector that generated three-quarters of the conurbation's estimated gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020.[3] Economic spillover effects have benefited neighbouring towns such as Sungai Petani and Kulim, resulting in economies of agglomeration and the formation of a high-tech industrial cluster stretching from the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (Bayan Lepas FIZ) to the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).[18][19] By 2005, both the Bayan Lepas FIZ and KHTP were accorded Multimedia Super Corridor Cyber City status.[19] This has fostered extensive ecosystems that include research and development (R&D), human capital development and various forms of business support, driven by private sector investment.[18][19] Additionally, industrial growth has accelerated the urbanisation of Sungai Petani and Kulim since the 1990s.[20]

The NPP-4 outlines plans for ongoing economic diversification in Sungai Petani and Kulim, the two largest economies within Kedah by GDP.[5][6] Manufacturing remains the main economic driver in the two towns, while the southern fringes of the conurbation, spanning Bandar Baharu and northern Perak, are primarily focused on agriculture.[6]

Gross domestic product of the conurbation in 2020 (est.)[3][4][5]
City or town Local government GDP

(RM million)

GDP

(US$ million)

GDP per capita

(RM)

George Town Penang Island City Council 51,935 12,464 65,383
Seberang Perai Seberang Perai City Council 45,149 10,836 47,722
Sungai Petani Sungai Petani Municipal Council 11,746 2,819 21,553
Kulim Kulim Municipal Council 11,301 2,712 33,466
Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park Local Authority
Bandar Baharu Bandar Baharu District Council 688 165 15,480
Yan Yan District Council 762 183 10,382
Bagan Serai Kerian District Council 3,610 866 21,700
Beriah
Bukit Merah
Parit Buntar
Selama Selama District Council 648 155 18,802
George Town Conurbation 125,839 30,201 44,244

Transportation

See also: Transport in Penang

Land

The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in George Town

George Town is connected to mainland Seberang Perai by two bridges – the 13.5 km (8.4 mi) Penang Bridge and the 24 km (15 mi) long Second Penang Bridge.[21] The North-South Expressway, a 966 km (600 mi) expressway that stretches along the western part of Peninsular Malaysia, provides a direct link from Seberang Perai to Sungai Petani in the north and Bukit Merah in the south.[6] The Butterworth-Kulim Expressway connects the Port of Penang with the industrial town of Kulim to the east, facilitating logistical access for industries in Kulim.[22]

Within George Town, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway is a highway along the city's eastern coastline, connecting the city centre with the two bridges.[23] Federal Route 6 is a pan-island trunk road encircling the city, while the George Town Inner Ring Road is a major thoroughfare within the city centre.[24][25]

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) operates the West Coast line, connecting the conurbation to other regions of western Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.[26][27] The Butterworth railway station is the primary rail terminal within the conurbation.[28] Aside from regular KTM services, Butterworth is one of the major stops of the Eastern and Oriental Express service between Bangkok and Singapore.[29] Other KTM stations within the conurbation include Sungai Petani, Tasek Gelugor, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Mertajam, Simpang Ampat, Nibong Tebal, Parit Buntar and Bagan Serai.[26][27]

Public transportation

Penang Sentral at Butterworth, Seberang Perai

Public bus services are primarily provided by Rapid Penang, which operates 46 routes throughout the conurbation as of 2024, including interstate routes into Kedah and Perak.[30] Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai serves as the main intermodal transport hub of the conurbation.[31] Opened in 2018, the hub integrates Rapid Penang and interstate bus services, linking to the adjacent Butterworth railway station and the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.[32][33]

The Penang Hill Railway is the only rail-based transportation system in the conurbation. As of 2024, a cable car system is being built to complement the funicular railway.[34][35] Additionally, the Penang Transport Master Plan envisages the introduction of urban rail throughout the state.[36][37] Construction of the 28 km (17 mi) Mutiara LRT line is expected to begin in 2025 and will be completed by 2030.[38][39]

To further promote urban mobility, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure throughout George Town are also being upgraded.[40][41] In 2016, George Town became the first city in Malaysia to have a public bicycle-sharing service with the launch of LinkBike.[42]

Air

View of Penang International Airport and the Second Penang Bridge in 2017

The Penang International Airport (PIA) lies 16 km (9.9 mi) south of downtown George Town. It is the main airport within the conurbation, with services to major regional cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Doha and Dubai.[43][44] PIA is the third busiest in Malaysia for passenger traffic after Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu airports, recording close to 6.8 million passengers in 2023.[45] It is also Malaysia's second busiest in terms of cargo tonnage, handling nearly 120,000 t (120,000 long tons; 130,000 short tons) within the same year, and managed the highest export value of all entry points nationwide.[45][46]

Sea

The Port of Penang with George Town in the background

The Port of Penang serves as the main harbour for northwestern Malaysia and southern Thailand.[47] In 2023, it handled more than 1.4 million TEUs of cargo, the third highest of all Malaysian ports.[48] Swettenham Pier, located within downtown George Town, accommodates cruise ships and is one of the main entry points into the city. In 2017 it recorded 125 port calls, surpassing Port Klang as the busiest cruise shipping terminal in the country.[49]

The cross-strait Penang ferry service connects downtown George Town and Seberang Perai, and was formerly the only transportation link between the island city and the mainland until the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985.[50] At present, four ferries ply the Penang Strait between both cities daily.[51]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Bandar Baharu was included into the conurbation in 2010.[2]
  2. ^ Yan was included into the conurbation in 2021.[6]
  3. ^ Bagan Serai was excluded from the conurbation in 2010 but was reinstated in 2021.[6][2]
  4. ^ Beriah was included into the conurbation in 2021.[6]
  5. ^ Bukit Merah was included into the conurbation in 2021.[6]
  6. ^ Selama was included into the conurbation in 2021.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Higher Education in Regional and City Development: State of Penang, Malaysia 2011" (PDF). Reviews of Higher Education in Regional and City Development. OECD: 84. 2011. eISSN 2218-3140. ISBN 978-92-64-08945-7 – via OECD.
  2. ^ a b c d Shamsudin, Kamalruddin. "Rancangan Fizikal Negara Ke-2". Town and Country Planning Department: 16 – via Yumpu.
  3. ^ a b c "Gross Domestic Product by Administrative District: Timur Laut, Pulau Pinang 2015–2020". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Department of Statistics Malaysia. Nov 2024. ISBN 978-967-253-792-2.
  4. ^ a b "Gross Domestic Product by Administrative District: Kerian, Perak 2015–2020". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Department of Statistics Malaysia. Nov 2024. ISBN 978-967-253-797-7.
  5. ^ a b c "Gross Domestic Product by Administrative District: Kuala Muda, Kedah 2015–2020". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Department of Statistics Malaysia. Nov 2024. ISBN 978-967-253-748-9.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Rancangan Fizikal Negara Keempat: Pelan Pengurusan Spatial Negeri" (PDF). Ministry of Local Government Development. Oct 2021.
  7. ^ "Northern Corridor Economic Region Strategic Development Plan (2021-2025)" (PDF). Northern Corridor Economic Region.
  8. ^ "Science park draws investors across a variety of fields". The Japan Times. 29 Nov 2019. Retrieved 5 Nov 2024.
  9. ^ "An Overview of Spatial Policy in Malaysia". Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 18 Oct 2023.
  10. ^ a b Kharas, Homi; Zeufack, Albert; Majeed, Hamdan (2010). "Cities, People and the Economy: A Study on Positioning Penang" (PDF). Khazanah Nasional. ISBN 978-983-44193-3-2 – via World Bank.
  11. ^ "Dasar Perbandaran Negara" (PDF). Ministry of Local Government Development. 8 Aug 2006.
  12. ^ admin. "Penang welcomes the Federal Government's initiative by Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak to co-develop a Greater Penang Masterplan – Lim Guan Eng". Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  13. ^ "Penang Paradigm - making Penang No. 1 in Malaysia" (PDF). Buletin Mutiara. 16 Feb 2013. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 6 Nov 2024.
  14. ^ Gooi, Hsiao Leung; Ooi, Kee Beng; Francis Loh, Kok Wah. "Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia" (PDF). Penang Institute.
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  22. ^ Alex Choong (29 Jun 1994). "Highway to Kulim ready in two years". New Straits Times. p. 6. Retrieved 30 Oct 2024.
  23. ^ "THE PROPOSED PAN ISLAND LINK 1 HIGHWAY PROJECT, PENANG" (PDF). SRS Consortium.
  24. ^ Statistik Jalan (Edisi 2013). Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Public Works Department. 2013. pp. 16–64. ISSN 1985-9619.
  25. ^ Mak Hoy Ken, Tan Ee Zhio (3 December 2014). "Penang Transport Master Plan: Convergence of Connectivity and Rising Land Values" (PDF). AmResearch.
  26. ^ a b "Rancangan Fizikal Negara Keempat: Pelan Pengurusan Spatial Negeri" (PDF). Ministry of Local Government Development. Oct 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Station Info". Keretapi Tanah Melayu. Retrieved 30 Oct 2024.
  28. ^ "Urban Transport Study in Greater Metropolitan Areas of George Town, Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia: Progress Report (Phase 1)" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Aug 1979.
  29. ^ Cripps, Karla (14 July 2023). "Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes". CNN. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
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  31. ^ Dermawan, Audrey (14 Aug 2018). "Integrated transportation hub Penang Sentral to begin operations by Dec: Chow". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
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  33. ^ McIntyre, Ian (25 Nov 2018). "Bus drivers ignore travel routes as Penang Sentral goes through first weekend". The Sun. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  34. ^ "PM Anwar stresses cultural and environmental considerations for new Penang Hill cable car project". Malay Mail. 29 Jun 2024. Retrieved 2 Jul 2024.
  35. ^ Nambiar, Predeep (16 Oct 2019). "Penang mulls Botanic Gardens-Penang Hill cable car project". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
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  38. ^ "On track with Penang LRT construction from December". The Star. 9 Oct 2024. Retrieved 9 Oct 2024.
  39. ^ Opalyn Mok (11 Nov 2024). "Penang's LRT project set to kick off next year, says Anthony Loke". Malay Mail. Retrieved 11 Nov 2024.
  40. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 March 2018). "Penang Streetscapes to be More Pedestrian Friendly, Says Exco". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  41. ^ Lilian Chan (8 February 2017). "Penang to be First Cycling State". Buletin Mutiara.
  42. ^ Lilian Chan (8 February 2017). "Penang to be First Cycling State". Buletin Mutiara.
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  44. ^ "Tourism Minister: China Eastern Airlines to Introduce Nanjing to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu Direct Flights Earliest June". Malay Mail. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Statistic of Aviation Transport". Ministry of Transport. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  46. ^ "Final External Trade Statistics 2023". Department of Statistics Malaysia: 100. Jul 2024. ISSN 2180-1827.
  47. ^ Aznam Shah, Shaheera (25 January 2018). "Penang Port taps southern Thailand's booming economy" (PDF). The Malaysian Reserve. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2023" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 15 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Swettenham Pier Surpasses Port Klang as Top Port of Call for Cruise Ships". The Sun. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  50. ^ Opalyn Mok (8 December 2023). "Penang Port CEO Says Extra Ferry Open for Private Charter". Malay Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  51. ^ Opalyn Mok (2 Oct 2024). "Final voyage: Iconic ferry 'Pulau Pinang' to make its journey across Penang Strait tomorrow, set for transformation into museum". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.