CONCRETE JUNGLE

Source: fineartamerica

Concrete Jungle is defined as a city or area of a city that has a high density of large, unattractive, modern buildings and that is perceived as an unpleasant living environment. it also  defined as an urban or other populated area containing a high density of buildings constructed of concrete or similar materials, especially one which lacks greenery and which seems unattractive, harsh, or unsafe.

Penang a Concrete Jungle?

Over the past few years, hills in Penang have been slowly losing their green lustre and now blemished with concrete buildings. Houses and high-rise buildings have cropped up in the hill slopes in Paya Terubong, Sungai Ara, Tanjung Bungah, Bukit Gambier, Bukit Jambul, Batu Ferringhi, etc.

As we know, hills serve a variety of important ecological functions ranging from regulating the microclimate to maintaining the hydrological regime. Local communities in Penang also benefit from the hills as a source of water, for outdoor activities and some just enjoy its greenery and aesthetical value. However these benefits are slowly diminishing as some of the hills in Penang are threatened by development projects.

Hill lands are extremely sensitive to human-induced environmental changes. The majority of slope failures occurring on hills and highlands in Malaysia are due to disturbance of these fragile ecosystems, especially when man had altered the original terrain. 

The disasters involving landslides and slope failures in the past are testimony to the fact that some development have gone beyond the limits allowed by nature.

Illegal earthworks on Bukit Relau.

If the situation continues it is possible Penang will become fully concrete jungle. Further various problems that will arise as a result of the existence of concrete jungle. Among the potential problems is environmental pollution, heat island, and etc.