Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U announced yesterday in a press conference at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape that a pilot scheme for pedestrianising Rua da Felicidade will be implemented from September 29, after which the temporary pedestrian zone will be closed to traffic daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
The Chinese name of Rua da Felicidade (福隆新街 – Fok Long San Kai) means “New Street of Happiness and Prosperity”, while its Portuguese name means “Street of Bliss”.
The about 50-minute-long press conference was jointly hosted by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), Transport Bureau (DSAT) and Public Security Police (PSP) as well as Wynn Resorts, in addition to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture.
The pedestrian zone, which will take effect during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays starting, respectively, on September 29 and October 1, will cover Rua da Felicidade, Travessa do Mastro, Travessa do Aterro Novo, Rua do Matapau and Travessa de Hó Lo Quai, featuring cultural and commercial activities, artistic-cultural shows, art installations, catering and leisure, among other attractions, aiming to boost shops’ foot traffic, while also bringing benefits by invigorating Macau’s economy with artistic and cultural activities, according to yesterday’s press conference.
With the help of the Fok Long San Kai Neighbourhood Mutual Assistance Association, according to Ao Ieong, the government has collected the opinions of commercial tenants and residents in the area, with over 95 percent holding an open attitude towards the pedestrianisation project, of which nearly 80 percent are in favour of the scheme and only five people in the area opposing it, showing that the “vast majority” of people there agree with the scheme.
Ao Ieong underlined that the pilot scheme will be reviewed within this year and, if successful, it would be held on a “regular basis” with a view to revitalising the area.
Taking into account the characteristics of tourists visiting Macau, which is showing, according to Ao Ieong, an increasing number of tourists starting their trip at noon or later and having the expectation of a good night out in Macau, a daytime cultural and creative market and performances will take place there from noon to 5 p.m., while a night market and cultural guided tours will begin at 6 p.m. every day.
According to the press conference, from yesterday a number of works have begun to be carried out in the area, including widening and optimising the pedestrian space, installing new traffic signs and setting up signs for walking areas, among others. In order to increase foot traffic and enrich the experience of visiting the pedestrian zone, the press conference noted, Wynn Resorts will introduce diversified attractions in the area, such as staging shows and other artistic-cultural activities, organising catering and leisure activities, and setting up decorations and art installations, while the government will gradually repave the roads and improve street lighting and environmental hygiene there, in addition to highlighting the characteristics and historical culture of Rua da Felicidade.
When asked about the budget the government has earmarked for the project, Ao Ieong said she hoped that with the government taking the lead and a large-scale enterprise – integrated resort operator Wynn – bringing its business experience to the project, merchants in the area would be encouraged to invest in organising various activities, adding she expected that both the government and Wynn would not have to invest much in the project.
According to IC President Leong Wai Man, who also addressed the press conference, about 100 people are estimated to live in the area comprising 102 buildings on both sides.
During the press conference, DSAT senior official Un Chao Wa said that due to the fact that there has been only “little vehicular traffic” in the area and that the pedestrianisation is avoiding the morning rush hour (as it will only start at 11 a.m.), he expected the project to not have much impact on the vehicular traffic situation there.
Considering that more than 20 bus routes run along Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Un promised that the Transport Bureau will continue to coordinate with the two local public bus operators to arrange their services in response to changes in passenger flow.
Un said details about the changes in vehicular traffic would be released prior to the implementation of the plan.
Meanwhile, according to the press conference, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will hold two concerts during the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 29 in the Ruins of St. Paul’s area, presenting several musical pieces with themes related to the Moon and the festival.
Locals and tourists stand outside a restaurant on Rua da Felicidade (“Street of Bliss”) last night.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U addresses yesterday’s press conference about the future Rua da Felicidade pedestrian zone, at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape.
– Photos: Yuki Lei
