Harnessing Heritage: Reducing Heat and Carbon Emissions Through the Use of Traditional Building Techniques and Materials in a World Heritage Site in Malaysia

Rising temperatures in Penang, Malaysia, are exacerbated by the “urban heat island” (UHI) effect, with surface temperatures higher in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town compared to other parts of the state. Climate change is expected to significantly increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Malaysia, with major consequences for public health and the economy. There is thus a pressing need to reduce heat in urban areas where modern buildings and the reliance on air-conditioning have increased heat and carbon emissions. This research looks at how traditional building techniques and materials in George Town can be harnessed to reduce heat and carbon emissions and improve well-being. The proposal seeks to identify ways to adapt to, and mitigate against, the impacts of climate change in the urban environment in George Town by learning from and promoting the use of traditional building techniques and materials.

Research Team: Professor Jeff Tan, Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC); Dr Matthew Benson, Think City; Dr Yogeswary Chellappan, Think City; Professor Stephen Chia, University Sains Malaysia