Rifle Range Flats, Ayer Itam, Penang

Rifle Range Flats are one of the Penang state government's earliest low-cost housing projects. It is located at the junction of Jalan Padang Tembak with Boundary Road (some times translated as Jalan Sempadan). It is known as Phak1 Cheng1 Por1 Click to hear in Hokkien, a direct translation of "rifle range". The name hails back to the 1950's, when the place was used for target practices. At that time, it was at the edge of town, next to the Batu Gantong Cemetery, which was also regarded as "rural countryside".

The transformation of the area from a rifle range to a low-cost residential neighbourhood began in 1968. When Rifle Range Flats - comprising nine blocks with heights of 17 and 18 storeys - were completed in the early 1970's, they were the tallest buildings in Penang. None of the units were big - they were almost like pigeon holes. Nonetheless they provided housing for many hardcore poor. Over the years, however, the general condition of Rifle Range Flats deteriorated rapidly. Eventually they were in Penang synonymous with squalor.

Perhaps the advantage of living in Rifle Range is that it is relatively close to town - just a little over 5 km from Komtar, the property is cheap, and if you are a single person living alone, the space is sufficient.

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