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Public projects implemented using GRPB methodology
included upgrading and rejuvenating the Campbell Street
Market in George Town city under MBPP. The market, which
was built around 1900, is one of the heritage buildings in
Penang. It had become fairly dilapidated and in need of a
makeover. The process involved a series of consultations with
stakeholders, including market stall holders, patrons of the
market, traders operating in the vicinity of the market, and
shop owners operating around the market.
Focus group discussions involving women and men traders
were held separately for vegetable, poultry, beef, mutton, fish
and seafood and dried foodstuff traders. All of them were
provided opportunities to give feedback on their expectations,
needs and preferences concerning the proposed renovations.
A questionnaire was also designed and both market patrons
and non-patrons who live and/or work within a 3 kilometre
radius were randomly selected to give their feedback. The
questionnaire also covered views on family and gender-friendly
facilities such as a breast feeding room, a diaper changing room
and privileged parking for family/pregnant ladies. At the same
time, it also sought the views of respondents on special wheel-
chair access for the disabled, privileged parking for the disabled
and CCTV to enhance security for all. The project is now at step
two, the planning and budgeting stage.
Implementing GRPB in Penang
Community representatives including women and young
men were involved in the process of implementing GRPB
in Penang, assisting in the survey and mobilizing people to
attend focus group discussions and to vote.
The GRPB project has also facilitated the entry of other
non-governmental organizations, especially at the housing
projects. The community work at PPR Jalan Sungai, for
example, has drawn in a women’s group to conduct a series
of awareness programmes on violence against women for
women residents. Another women’s group, Soroptimist
International Penang, organizes skill-building sessions on
computer skills, cooking and sewing for women at PPR
Jalan Sungai. Penang Arts-Ed, a community-based non-
profit organization that uses arts and culture for education
and community empowerment, conducts programmes
for the children and youth at PPR Jalan Sungai. Arts-Ed
works with the young girls and boys through programmes
on videography, dancing, and creating art and crafts from
recycled items.
There is inconsistency in the commitment and time
invested by residents and local council representatives.
GRPB processes can be time-consuming because they
include many complex layers of planning and consultation
between the residents and local councils. In addition, nego-
tiating with fragmented interest groups in the communities
is a long and complex process. Often, it was a challenge to
get the people to come together.
However, this participatory approach to planning for a
project provides the respondent stakeholders with a sense of
ownership. They are happy to be consulted as they have a stake
in the success or failure of the planned renovation project.
The two local councils –MBPP andMPSP–are now inmidst
of implementing the Strategic Plan of Action for Institutionalizing
GRPB 2016-2018 in their respective institutions.
Image: PWDC
The Campbell Street Market project with hawkers
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