This chapter introduces the main themes covered in the book, including the landscape political ecology (LPE) framework, and how it helps to make sense of the type of controversies taking place in Penang. It also provides important scholarly context for the Penang case study, situating the book within earlier research on Penang and Malaysia in the urban studies literature. In particular, the chapter discusses the challenges that Penang’s urban centre of George Town has faced in balancing its considerable built heritage with its urban redevelopment aspirations over the past three decades. This tension is linked to broader aspirations at the national level with regards to modernization and urban development. Finally, the chapter introduces the significant civil society sector in Penang, and how they have shaped urban governance in the city-region.
"Preface" published on 06 May 2022 by Bristol University Press.
prioritizing profits over people
Penang Forum has a steering committee which plans events and campaigns, but is not dominated by one individual or group
The bad news? If humanity continues on the current path of slow, incremental change - a.k.a the #Earth4All Too Little Too Late scenario- average wellbeing will decline.But here's the good news! 🌟...
The Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) describes what the economy needs to deliver for human and ecological wellbeing as follows: Dignity: Everyone has enough to live in comfort, safety and happiness. Nature: A restored and safe natural world for all life. Connection: A sense of belonging and institutions that serve the common good. Fairness: Justice in all its dimensions at the heart of economic systems, and the gap between the richest and poorest greatly reduced. Participation: Citizens are actively engaged in their communities and locally rooted economies......The Earth4All Wellbeing Index incorporates: Dignity: worker disposable income (after tax). Nature: climate change (global surface average temperature, in Celsius) – used as a proxy for many other environmental dimensions. Connection: government services indicated by spending per person, i.e., to institutions that serve the common good. Fairness: the ratio of owner income after tax to worker income after tax – representing inequality in society. Participation: people’s observed progress (previously improving wellbeing) and labour participation
As a reaction to the limitations of GDP growth, ideas around wellbeing economics are gaining increased attention.
Well-being, or wellbeing,[1] also known as wellness, prudential value, prosperity or quality of life, refers to what is intrinsically valuable relative to someone. So the well-being of a person is what is ultimately good for this person, what is in the self-interest of this person.[2] Well-being can refer to both positive and negative well-being...
❌ Eradicate extreme poverty 🤝 Inequality reduces💸 Wealth is more fairly distributed⬇️ Social tension falls🌎 Climate stabilises well below 2°C
What if we make the greatest economic transformation in history?
