BiodiverCity: A Sustainable Urban Innovation in Penang, Malaysia

Malaysia is constructing three artificial islands off the coast of Penang, emphasizing sustainability, biodiversity, and livability. These islands feature autonomous public transport networks, ample green spaces, and innovative design projects.

Island Design and Features

Each island, designed in the shape of a lilypad, will comprise mixed-use districts capable of accommodating up to 18,000 residents each. Additionally, the plan includes:

• Public parks and urban wetlands
• Beaches and forests
• Cultural quarters and technology hubs
• A 25-kilometer-long waterfront

Moreover, these islands will promote a car-free environment where districts are interconnected through land, water, and air-based autonomous transit systems, alongside cycle lanes and pedestrian boardwalks. The energy requirements of the islands will be met through renewable sources, with buildings constructed from bamboo, Malaysian timber, and recycled materials.

Ecological Connectivity

A network of ecological corridors will seamlessly connect forest reserves with coastal beaches. In both residential and commercial areas, ecosystems will thrive, enabling animals and aquatic life to navigate through safe passages without human interference. These corridors will maintain continuous canopies and waterways throughout the islands.

Project Development and Goals

The land reclamation initiative is being led by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with the Penang State Government, Ramboll, and local architects Hijias. The designers aim to achieve a development that is socially and economically inclusive while safeguarding the area’s rich biodiversity and natural habitats. Bjarke Ingels expressed the vision: “If Penang is defined by its rich cultural diversity and its abundant biodiversity, we aspire for the South Penang Islands to be an archipelago where both can coexist in a constructed ecosystem, enhancing one another.”

Future Prospects

Though the exact timeline for the completion of BiodiverCity is still uncertain, the project aligns with the Penang2030 vision. This government-led initiative aims to enhance liveability, bolster the economy, and protect the environment through a range of sustainable projects and developments.

BIG stated, “Our masterplan proposal, BiodiverCity, directly supports the Penang2030 vision, emphasizing livability through socially and economically inclusive developments aimed at preserving environmental sustainability for future generations. BiodiverCity will emerge as a new global hub where cultural, ecological, and economic growth converge, fostering coexistence between people and nature in one of the planet’s most biodiverse settings along the southern shore of Penang Island.”

To discover more about BiodiverCity, see here.