Marketplace 2045: Transforming Campbell Street Market in Georgetown, Penang
January 24, 2025
This project by Gan Shing Yen as part of a studio at Universiti Sains Malaysia reflects on how traditional markets can stay ahead amidst shifting customer behaviours. “Traditional markets are considered a sunset industry. As a Gen-Y individual, I seldom visit traditional markets for daily purchases,” Gan reflected. “Meanwhile, commercial retail chains, coffee shops and cafes are thriving … as architects, we must proactively address this situation.”


The concept for Marketplace 2045 originates from the fundamental necessity of food—a convenience that is often taken for granted by today’s generations, considering how much more common food scarcity was less than a century ago, and the challenges of climate change that will continue to threaten the agricultural sector in the future. “The future marketplace should not only provide food but also evolve with digitalisation to remain relevant,” Gan said.
From heritage buildings to ‘phygital’ spaces
Located at the heart of Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, the design comprises the existing Campbell Street Market and a makam (graveyard), classified as second and first-class heritage buildings respectively. Through architectural treatments that preserve the original buildings and add spaces around the makam, the site envisioned to be transformed into a vibrant, self-sustainaing hub for gathering, shopping, and urban gardening. The spaces are generally divided into physical-digital components: an online market and a traditional market.


Gan envisions that an app will digitally integrate all markets in Penang, connecting users to purchase goods online with options for pick-up or home delivery. This will necessitate collaboration with the city council, local producers, logistics companies, technology companies and other stakeholders. Data analysis of the app purchases will determine the most in-demand crops, which can be cultivated on the rooftop.
The existing traditional market will be able to continue its operations, with food waste collected and converted into organic fertiliser for rooftop farming. This space will be stratified and leased to retirees and individuals seeking supplementary income. Additionally, the rooftop will serve as a community garden, providing a green oasis for residents in the UNESCO Heritage site, which currently lacks greenery and leisure spaces. “By 2045, I hope traditional markets will have found their place in this era of digitalisation,” Gan concluded.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Marketplace 2045
Location
Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Site Area
approx. 3,400 square metres
This project by Gan Shing Yen was part of a design studio at Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2023, advised by Dr Nooriati Taib and Adjunct Professor Dato’ Ar. Idr. Zulkarnain Harun.
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