In January 2020, the Penang State Government launched an international design competition centered on reinventing the Penang South Islands and transforming them into a sustainable destination. The goal was to create a livable community, both indoors and outdoors, that encompasses cultural, ecological and economic growth. The winner of the competition is Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), with a comprehensive plan it calls BiodiverCity. The group of architects, designers and builders worked in conjunction with a host of other professional teams, including Hijjas (local architects and planners) and Ramboll (project manager and engineer).