Abstract:
George Town, since its inscription as a 'UNESCO World Heritage Site' has been experiencing great challenges in sustaining itself as a major tourist destination in Malaysia. The city's carefully conserved cultural practices and historic built environment, are constantly exposed to a number of threats. There has been an apparent decline in the number of residential population - the locals have been increasingly attracted to the amenities offered in the new urban centres to the detriment of those in the heritage area. The city is challenged into trying to survive as it is increasingly disadvantaged by thermal discomfort, limited transportation modes and urban facilities whereas the modern ones, especially shopping malls, are easily accessible by private vehicles, offer comfortable environment for a range of social activities supported by uninterrupted supply of finite energy. This change in patronage will eventually render George Town meaningless for the loss of the culturally thriving communities and hence affect tourism industry. George Town is in need of new development to upgrade itself, however, increasing facilities alone is not sufficient to sustain the life of the historic city. The defining characteristics of the 21st century - climate change and energy depletion - have imposed a new force into a once stable urban environment. This means that the conventional urban design will eventually be forced to evolve as they include dynamics that are not only subject to environmental problems but also contribute to them. An alternative development approach has to be sought - one that not only fulfils urban needs but also moderates impacts on the environment. Responding to the observed threats, Green Acupuncture seeks to take advantage of the already available natural resources and renewable energy - rainwater, sunshine and greenery to improve George Town's urban livability. The aim is to take the existing patterns of use as points of departure, and to generate urban design solutions that can be implemented individually in various localities yet direct the overall development towards a sustainable form. Inserting a new designed system into the urban fabric with programs that 'retrogreen,' and complement the already existent function would potentially increase George Town's resilience against future environmental crises and improve its livability as a dynamic historic living city.