by Tan Zhi Hong

Tourism has always been the main source of income for George Town’s economy. However, overly dependent on external sources will result in a lack of ability to self-sustain. As the covid-19 pandemic occurred, George Town’s economy was severely impacted and many businesses closed down.

Architecture can act as a catalyst to create a new model of economy. With the new proposed design that has relooked into the urban context of George Town,  the chosen site (Sia Boey) will reclaim the existing open car parking and transform Lost Place into an UNESCO Heritage City Laboratory for the city inhabitants from their neighbouring precincts. By equipping a variety of cultural heritage experiments spaces, it will be able to create a brand new ecosystem for George Town to enhance its social civil development instead of being heavily dependent on tourism.

This UNESCO Heritage City Laboratory aims to support the GTWHS with no limit to tangible aspects but also to its intangible cultural heritage, which contributes significant Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) in George Town. The laboratory also tends to address urban issues such as city flash flood issues, community segregation, and urban traffic. The proposed programs aim to promote the use of active mobility and community sharing programs in the heart of the city.