CREATIVE CITY AS URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: NEW BOOK CO-AUTHORED BY USM ACADEMIC EXPLORES MALAYSIAN URBAN FUTURES
PENANG, 28 August 2026 – An academic book entitled Creative City as Urban Development Strategy: The Case of Selected Malaysian Cities was officially launched at Equator College, Penang, marking a milestone in Malaysia’s urban development discourse.
The book, authored by Associate Professor TPr Dr. Khoo Suet Leng from the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), together with Dr. Nicole Chang Shu Fun of Equator College, is the culmination of more than a decade of research into the concept of creative cities.
Khoo has been investigating the subject since 2010, beginning with George Town, Penang, as a testbed for exploring how creativity can drive urban growth and sustainability. Beyond George Town, her research also focuses on Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru as key Malaysian cities.
Her work revealed critical ambiguities and unanswered questions surrounding the creative city concept from practical, theoretical, and policy perspectives. Recognising that journal articles alone could not adequately address these complexities, Khoo embarked on the ambitious task of co-authoring a book with Nicole Chang to provide a comprehensive exploration of the topic.
Published by Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature), the book examines how the creative city model has been adopted and adapted across Malaysia, and how it is shaping the nation’s urban development strategies.
The launch held on 8 August 2026, was officiated by YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, who also received a Policy Brief derived from the book’s findings. The brief outlined pragmatic recommendations to strengthen Malaysia’s creative economy and industries, while proposing strategic pathways to build sustainable, resilient, and inclusive creative cities.
The event was further distinguished by speeches from leading figures in the arts and creative sector, including Joe Sidek (Chairman, Penang Arts Council), Lee Khai (Chairman, Penang State Art Gallery and Advisor to Penang Art District), and Dato’ Chuah Kooi Yoong (Founder and Principal of Equator College).
Arts veteran Joe Sidek emphasized that Penang needs to look beyond temporary events and invest in building an educational foundation, strong institutions, and proper venues. Meanwhile, Lee Khai highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the public, noting that accessibility of research is key to enabling ideas to flow and transforming knowledge into societal action.
Khoo’s book is expected to serve as a vital reference for policymakers, academics, and practitioners seeking to harness creativity as a driver of urban transformation, positioning Malaysia at the forefront of innovative city development in the region.