Higher density, more congestion for Penang?

Great, more high-rise buildings, concrete and congestion…

Why is Hunza announcing changes in property development density and not the local government via a press conference? Was there any public consultation before coming up with such a decision?

This from The Star.

Wednesday August 26, 2009
Penang raises density for property development
By DAVID TAN

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has raised the density for property development in Penang, which will bring down land cost and stabilise property prices, said Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong.

“The state government recently decided to increase the density to 280,000 sq ft in built-up area from 90,000 sq ft per 100,000 sq ft of land.The decision to increase density will allow developers to build more, hence giving consumers more choices.

(It was only last month that Hunza was slapped with a stop-work order after a road within the compound of Gurney Park condominium, adjacent to the developer’s super condominium and commercial complex project Gurney Paragon, caved in.)

I contacted Ahmad Chik, who is familiar with the issue. He said density is usually measured in terms of units per acre. In the primary development area of George Town and surrounding areas, the usual density is 30 units per acre, he said.

“If this report is true, I am appalled that they (local government) could make such a fundamental change without considering the effect on congestion and without consulting the wider public.”