People’s Negotiation of Space in the context of Urbanization and Historic Conservation in Clan Jetties, Malaysia

Kaushalya Herath

doi:10.4038/cpp.v2i2.26

Abstract

Penang is a rapidly urbanizing city in Malaysia. Neo liberal urban development in Penang challenges the vernacular built environment of the city. The urban fabric of Penang is rich with different traits of architecture from the West and the East. With the population density and the land values going up, much of the local urban spaces are being replaced by the “modern” high rises and other land uses. While the colonial legacy of Penang built environment has been recognized by the heritage discourse to be conserved, self-built and local spaces are being ignored. Both urbanization and historic conservation impacts the transformation of Penang. In this context, Clan Jetties of Penang as a self-built settlement which was produced and transformed by ordinary people over the last century is facing the challenges of both urbanization and historic conservation. This paper elaborates on how the Clan Jetty residents negotiate the spaces in the context of urbanization in order to survive and maintain their sense of belongings to their neighborhood. UNESCO incorporated Clan Jetties to the Georgetown World Heritage site in 2008. Although this new designation of world Heritage saved Clan Jetties from getting replaced, it also halted the natural transformation process of the settlement. However, people desire modernization to transform their neighborhood despite the heritage guidelines imposed upon them. Clan Jetty residents who rejected the conversion of their neighborhood to a “modern” neighborhood as defined and designed by the Government are in the process of following their own instincts in making small changes in their neighborhood. This paper discusses this continuous process of production of spaces by ordinary people by analyzing and contextualizing their stories.

Highlights

Clan Jetties is a self-built settlement by Chinese immigrants in Penang, Malaysia
Some Chinese immigrants who came to what is known as Malaysia looking for opportunities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries built livelihoods related to the activities of the Penang harbor
This attracted labor, especially Chinese immigrants; some of whom owned boats and others worked as laborers in loading and unloading goods from the ships anchored in the deep areas of the ocean and bringing them to the shore and vice versa on dingies

Summary

Introduction

Clan Jetties is a self-built settlement by Chinese immigrants in Penang, Malaysia. Some Chinese immigrants who came to what is known as Malaysia looking for opportunities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries built livelihoods related to the activities of the Penang harbor. Penang harbor operated as a free port ever since the British established it in 1786 This attracted labor, especially Chinese immigrants; some of whom owned boats and others worked as laborers in loading and unloading goods from the ships anchored in the deep areas of the ocean and bringing them to the shore and vice versa on dingies. Later, married men brought their families to the jetties and constructed their houses on stilts, over the ocean, along the jetty This settlement grew into a community with a sense of belonging to its residents. Clan Jetty residents gave a new meaning to Penang by changing the urban form, adding more land area, creating a new appearance and functioning as an essential part of the economy by complementing the port operations. Despite the out-migration of younger generation looking for jobs and better living standards as they defined, many families stayed and are not willing to give up their neighborhood

Impacts of Urbanization on Clan Jetties and residents

Findings

Conclusion