George Town, established as a British trading port in 1786, displays its vivid and varied cultural heritage through the array of buildings and architectural styles found along its streets. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultural influences are evident in the more than 5,000 houses, shops, schools, churches, mosques, temples, and shrines. (...)
George Town, established as a British trading port in 1786, displays its vivid and varied cultural heritage through the array of buildings and architectural styles found along its streets. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultural influences are evident in the more than 5,000 houses, shops, schools, churches, mosques, temples, and shrines. The capital of Penang Island, George Town has maintained its original city plan but, like most historic urban centers, faces development pressures. Many of the city's vernacular buildings had been protected by default through the Rent Control Act of 1966, which made the eviction of tenants difficult and provided no incentive for landlords to alter, demolish, or reconstruct buildings. In January 2000, however, the act was repealed and the streetscape began to change.
