The Industries Scenario in Penang

Impact of Urbanization Process to Industries

Industrial area in Pulau Pinang was divided into several area zone such as Perai Industrial Zones and Bayan Lepas Industrial Zones as the two major zones and there are also small industrials areas such as in Bukit Minyak, Bukit Tengah, Sungai Bakap and Batu Kawan. Every industrial zone in Pulau Pinang are represent different type of industrial like heavy industry and medium industry. Industrial situation in Penang shows that both part of Pulau Pinang have one major area for industry area and have one major port located in Perai. Both area are connected with Penang Bridge and also ferry which mean workers and cargo was able to use this linkage to going work. The construction of Penang Second Bridge will be finish next year and will give more impact to industrial sector.

Source: pegis.penang.gov.my

The state of Pulau Pinang in term of geographic is a state with island and mainland. According to Penang history, Penang especially George Town was establish is not because industrialization but others factors such as cause of colonialism and port strategic. The first Industrial establish in Penang was in Mak Mandin area in Butterworth after Malaysia independent and after that in early 90’s was opened others industrials area in Bayan Lepas, Perai, Bukit Minyak, Seberang Jaya, Batu Kawan and Bukit Tengah. Based on the maps above have shown industrial distribution in Penang. Penang Bridged which open in the 1985 are given more impact for Penang economy to increasingly and also give the big impact to industry

sector. With so many industrial area in Penang was give many impact to Penang. Especially job opportunities to people not only in Pulau Pinang but also from others states like Kedah and Perak. Impact from Penang bridges open in that year also give many development along bridge exit in Penang Island example the economy of George Town was increased and have so many development that make positive impact to the city. This situation attract investment not only internal investor but also from outsiders like Japan, United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Year to year Penang become more develop impact not only from industries but also from Tourism, Services, Education and others. Nowadays Penang become more crowded especially in George Town and spreads to the suburbs like Jelutong, Ayer Itam and Gelugor.

Source: www.investpenang.gov.my/2012

Maps above are shown the current industry scenario in Penang that represent not only industries component but also from others component like transportation, environment, housing and also land use. Most of the workers in Penang island is from mainland which is from Seberang Perai district and also have workers travel from Kedah and Perak. This situation happen cause price of housing area in island so high. This workers especially industrial workers in Bayan Lepas commute every day from mainland to island for work. Their commuting

LEGEND

Industry Point

People commute

everyday give an impact to traffic most in the bridge. The commute of this workers create higher volume of traffic in Penang Bridge. Not also from industrial workers in Bayan Lepas but also from others sectors workers like education, services and tourism. Traffic jammed always happen in the bridge in peak hours especially in the morning and the evening which is the time for workers goes to work and return to home. Because of this problem Penang second bridge are built to reduce traffic jammed in the old bridge. This new bridge are connected between Batu Maung in island and Batu Kawan in mainland. But in urbanization context are really this second bridge will reduce traffic jammed in old bridge. When Penang second bridge are complete, it will give big impact to Bayan Lepas area not only for industrial but also to others. Bayan Baru is a new city in Bayan Lepas will get many development cause of new bridge. Combinations Bayan Baru with Bayan Lepas, Bukit Gedung and Sungai Ara will create a new metropolis area in Penang Island and follow George Town as one of the main city in Penang. This area can be more develop than George Town because they have industrial zone and also near with Penang International Airport in 5 km. Penang Second Bridge exit route are direct to Bayan Lepas Industrial area and near to Bayan Baru and different with old bridge which is are not direct to George Town but exit route is in Gelugor. With this second bridge will make new traffic jammed in that area, cause of more people are working to Bayan Lepas Industrial area. Before this only one bridge and Bayan Lepas area attract workers from Kulim and Parit Buntar, when second bridge are complete this area can attract workers far away from Taiping working there. Cause of this scenario Bayan Lepas area including Bayan Baru, Bukit Gedung, and Sungai Ara will more develop and many new project planned in that area. This can give impact in term of land use in that area which make a new big city in Bayan Lepas. And maybe many project are panned to do in sensitive area like in the hill and besides the beachs that give impact to environment. So many development can make housing be high price and only certain people can buy the house. So the problem is housing in Penang Island only build and sale not for all the people and maybe only foreigner are capable to buy. So the industrials workers are still commute every day for work in Bayan Lepas.