BiodiverCity project to support environmentally sustainable urban district on the Malaysian archipelago.
Ramboll, working with architects BIG and Hijjas, has been appointed by Malaysia’s Penang State Government to design the masterplan for a sustainable urban district.
The new Penang South Islands will be located at the south-end of Penang island. It consists of three islands, measuring a total of 4,500 acres in total land size with mixed-use districts for 15,000 to 18,000 residents. In addition, residents will be provided with approximately 4.6km of public beaches, 600 acres of parks and a 25km waterfront.
Penang State Government initiated an international design competition in January 2020 to transform Penang South Islands into a sustainable, global destination. Penang’s biodiversity spans various topographies and protected environments that have in recent years, encountered new developments that disrupt coastal zones and natural habitats. In contrast, BIG, local architect Hijjas and Ramboll’s masterplan proposal – BiodiverCity – supports the Penang 2030 vision with a clear focus on livability, to enhance the quality of life and boost the economy to raise household income and establish a framework for socially and economically inclusive development. Most importantly the development is environmentally sustainable for the future generation.
Shonn Mills, global director, Ramboll said: “This fantastic win demonstrates how sustainability and wellness is the now a key value driver globally. We have grown our footprint in South East Asia with the partnership with Web Structures and are realising our strategy of becoming a leading sustainability consultant in the region.”
The masterplan supports a water, air and land-based autonomous public transportation network aiming for a car free environment where streets serve as a safe and welcoming thoroughfare for bikers and pedestrian. The buildings in BiodiverCity, will be designed to perform resource efficiently and will to a large extent be constructed by low-carbon materials such as bamboo and Malaysian timber in combination with green concrete.
Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director at BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, commented: “BiodiverCity will have an integrated system of localised water resources, renewable energy and waste management, tied altogether in a human-made ecosystem. Rather than design a city for cars, we designed BiodiverCity for waterways, rail and different kinds of personal mobility, forming a multi-modal environment of movement. The resultant urban landscape will be a celebration of Penang’s position as a truly global crossroads of the world – economically, ecologically and socially.” Five international teams participated in the masterplan design competition for the three reclaimed islands in the Penang South Islands project in Malaysia.
