Perspective
The Butterworth area is separated from the sea by a highway that connects the main area and the industrial ports and passenger terminals. This highway limits access for local residents and degrades the Butterworth waterfront. Local docks will be expanded north through land reclamation. A new highway will connect Georgetown's promising areas with the main area. This provides an opportunity to rethink current projects and leverage new opportunities for community development and address long-term sustainability issues.
We propose connecting the city to the waterfront by redesigning the highway and considering the future development of the waterfront. By creating artificial islands and connecting the new area with pedestrian streets, we offer an impressive urban environment that is both playful and provides high-quality living conditions.
Residential neighborhoods will remain medium-sized and compact to create communities and a sense of space. The road network measures an average of 130 by 130 meters, which is optimal for a pedestrian city.
All neighborhoods will be connected by a public park and beach with unique islands that act as flood barriers and as catalysts for new activities, from picnics to sports. All islands are connected by a series of boardwalks that define the experience.
Commercial Buildings
In the future, the retail experience will likely be hyper-personalized. With delivery robots and other technological interventions, the shopping process will be more experiential. Therefore, the building typology will have a unique form and focus on the visitor's emotions.
Technology Park
To retain talent, it is crucial to provide them with opportunities for development, research, and exploration. The number of technology parks has increased in recent years, as governments and corporations recognize the competition for brainpower. It is also important to provide a pleasant city experience, opportunities to network, and meet like-minded people. The technology park is located to provide access to the beach, waterfront, shopping centers, historic districts, and more.
Residential Buildings
The residential buildings feature basements for retail space to ensure convenient walking distance. The compactness of the neighborhoods allows for new connections, community building, and improved well-being for residents.
Sustainability
Climate change and rising sea levels pose serious threats to coastal cities. Architects and engineers around the world are addressing this issue using the built environment. We propose creating a series of artificial islands. They will be connected by automatic water barriers and will also serve as a focal point and playground for residents. They can be used for sports, recreation, music festivals, promenades, or even for the construction of iconic buildings, such as a floating mosque.
