MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY PENANG CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE
16 October 2015
George Town, Penang
Both The Right Honourable Chief Minister of Penang, Mr. Lim Guan Eng and His Highness the Aga Khan witnessed the signing of a Management Collaboration Agreement between Chief Minister of Penang (Incorporation) (“CMI”), Think City Sdn Bhd (“Think City”) and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (“AKTC”) today in the picturesque heritage hamlet of Chantilly, France.
The genesis of this Management Collaboration Agreement is derived from a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) signed between AKTC and Think City in November 2013, under which AKTC provided technical assistance for the protection, development and enhancement of Penang’s historic George Town which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. This Management Collaboration Agreement serves to expand the scope of that existing partnership and extend the collaboration period for another three years.
The AKTC is renowned internationally and recognised as one of the foremost organisations involved in matters of architecture, conservation and urban planning. Noted for their commitment in beautifying and preserving cities, landscapes and buildings, a city that attracts the interest of AKTC is deemed to have make its mark on the global heritage and cultural map, a marquee testimony of one’s pedigree and excellence. AKTC’s Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme which will be the main collaborating partner under the Management Collaboration Agreement, promotes planning, conservation and urban revitalisation in historic cities. It also undertakes the restoration and rehabilitation of historic structures and public spaces in ways that can spur social, economic and cultural development.
Individual project briefs go beyond mere technical restoration to address the questions of the social and environmental context, adaptive re-use, institutional sustainability and training. Its projects include major parks in Cairo and New Delhi and urban revitalisation projects on sites as diverse as Zanzibar in Africa and Kabul. As part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKTC undertakes cultural projects within a broad continuum of development activities that usually encompasses economic, social and cultural initiatives.
The Penang State Government hopes that George Town will attain international and intelligent status with the participation of AKTC as well as Think City. Indeed this is a dream come true for Penang!
– The Right Honourable Chief Minister of Penang, Mr. Lim Guan Eng
Discover, Explore and Learn more via CMI signs Management Collaboration Agreement with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Think City Sdn Bhd
Think City International Partners
In carrying out the three main initiatives under the George Town Grants Programme (GTGP) – cultural mapping, the shared spaces programme and physical conservation – Think City collaborated with international partners to promote best practices in conservation and best ideas regarding urban regeneration work.
Discover, Explore and Learn more via Think City | About Us | International Partners
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