“LIVEABILITY” is quite a buzzword these days. But what does it mean really when we say that a city is liveable? What factors come into play? Generally, this covers the usual suspects of: access to education, health and safety; economic prosperity; the ease of getting around; and the availability of recreational facilities.
Penang Island’s northeast district is usually targeted for benchmarking against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), specifically in the areas of Pulau Tikus, Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah.
In George Town itself, amenities abound and are situated often only a short walk or a drive away. The capital is reasonably walkable, and one can easily hail a Grab or rent a LinkBike to get around. Significant efforts have also been taken by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to improve the city’s walkability and cyclability indices, including the installation of bicycle lanes and the planting of trees to provide respite from the tropical heat.
