Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U said yesterday she believes that the temporary pedestrianisation of San Ma Lou can be relaunched, however not in the avenue itself but in streets nearby, and, considering traffic and roadworks problems, the government is now studying the possibility of launching in the avenue’s surrounding old quarters a small-scale project similar to the one held in San Ma Lou during the Chinese New Year holiday in January.
She said the results of the study would be announced as soon as possible.
San Ma Lou (“New Road”), known in Portuguese as Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, is Macau’s main thoroughfare.
Ao Ieong made the remarks during a Q&A plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle yesterday, adding that some gaming companies have expressed their desire to participate in the pedestrianisation project.
The policy secretary acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the pedestrianisation project, stressing its aim is to revitalise the city’s old quarters and promote a better living space for cultural and creative enterprises.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Leong Wai Man said in February that San Ma Lou could not be temporarily pedestrianised again for the time being due to the road works in the pipeline for the Macau peninsula.
According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, 140,000 people visited the avenue during its 5-day, two-round pedestrianisation, comprising both local and tourists. While many welcomed the initiative, others complained about its adverse impact on traffic and public transport. While some businesspeople in the neighbourhood reported an increase in turnover, others reported the opposite.
Art Macao to continue this year
During yesterday’s plenary Q&A session, Ao Ieong announced that the “Art Macao” will be held this year, with the aim of promoting the city as a world centre of tourism and leisure.
Ao Ieong said that Art Macao will be the first of its kind in Macau to be held with the participation of the government, enterprises, artists and the public to optimise Macau’s “cultural ecology”.
According to Ao Ieong, this year’s Art Macao will collaborate with the city’s gaming concessionaires, consulates-general in Hong Kong and Macau, aiming to turn Macau into an important international platform for cultural and artistic exchanges through a series of international exhibitions.
Ao Ieong also underlined that the government will relaunch and encourage enterprises to take part in the Macao International Parade, and further integrate performing arts and UNESCO World Heritage properties in the city, as well as to enhance and organise local cultural projects such as the Tap Siac Craft Market and busking programme to create performance opportunities for the performing arts and cultural and creative industries.
Ao Ieong also noted that a funding scheme will be launched this year to promote the development of Macau’s film industry, helping the industry produce more Macau-themed films and attracting overseas movie production companies to Macau.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U speaks during yesterday’s Q&A session in the Legislative Assembly’s (AL) hemicycle.
– Photo courtesy of TDM
