The government has announced various initiatives to advance Macau’s urban renewal, including a feasibility study on the setting up of a special fund to financially support urban renewal projects, and a citywide survey of the conditions of old district buildings.
The initiatives were announced during a meeting on Friday to brief association representatives on Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan regarding the government’s transport and public works portfolio.
The meeting, which was attended by about 60 association representatives, was held at the Service Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (aka Forum Macao Complex) in Sai Van.
The meeting was open to the media when Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man delivered his opening speech and officials under his portfolio gave presentations on the 3rd Five-Year Plan regarding the government’s transport and public works portfolio. Afterwards, the meeting was held behind closed doors while attendees gave their opinions and officials answered their questions.
The Macau government announced and published the final version of the 3rd Five-Year Plan last month.
The Macao Special Administrative Region’s (MSAR) 3rd Five-Year Plan, officially known as the 3rd Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, covers the period between 2026 and 2030.
Delivering his speech, Tam noted that accelerating Macau’s urban renewal is one of the government’s major tasks over the next five years outlined by the 3rd Five-Year Plan. As an important project for improving residents’ well-being, the government will pragmatically advance urban renewal, covering aspects including the repair and renovation of old buildings, the revitalisation and beautification of the city’s old quarters, and the redevelopment of entire areas or individual buildings, he underlined.
The key tasks, Tam said, will include a citywide survey of the conditions of old district buildings, and exploring more flexible and diverse urban renewal models tailored to Macau’s own needs.
During Friday’s meeting, Lands and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU) Director Lai Weng Leong gave a presentation on the 3rd Five-Year Plan regarding the government’s initiative to accelerate Macau’s urban renewal.
Lai said that the government will advance urban renewal in four major aspects: institutional buildings; the maintenance, repair, and renovation of old district buildings; the beautification and functional reshaping of old quarters; and the redevelopment of entire areas or individual buildings.
Lai noted that the government has set up a Leadership Group for Promoting Urban Renewal consisting of two working groups, one of which is tasked with studying the legislation and policies necessary for advancing urban renewal. The other working group is tasked with studying technical matters concerning urban renewal.
Lai also noted that the government is studying the feasibility of extending applicants’ eligibility for its “home swap” housing and temporary housing earmarked for condominium unit owners affected by urban renewal projects. The government is also studying possible amendments to Macau’s current law regulating urban renewal, with the aim of encouraging condominium unit owners to launch the redevelopment of their buildings, he said.
Lai said that the government is studying the feasibility of strengthening the functions and autonomy of Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR), with the aim of enabling the government-owned company to become a stronger urban renewal platform where it will have the power to partner with private capital, operate on market principles, and coordinate funding, resources, and operations.
Lai also said that the government is studying the feasibility of setting up a fund to financially support urban renewal projects.
Lai said that the government will start next quarter a citywide survey of the conditions of old district buildings. The survey will be conducted in a gradual manner, he said, adding that it will first be carried out in the area spanning from Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo (關前後街) to Rua da Tercena (果欄街), Rua do Infante (皇子街), Rua de Cinco de Outubro (十月初五日街), and Rua das Estalagens (草堆街).
According to Lai, the survey in this area will cover 292 buildings, involving data collection, on-site inspections, photography, and the compilation of survey reports.
About 60 association representatives attend Friday’s meeting about Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan at the Forum Macao Complex near Macau Tower. – Photo: Tony Wong
