The Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said yesterday it is planning to transform the area between the Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (colloquially known as “Old Bridge”) and Gate of Understanding – covering about 60,000 square metres – into a “high-quality and large-scale leisure and recreational space”, encompassing the design of parent-child play, leisure and recreation and waterfront scenery as the functional zones’ three main themes.
The bureau announced the second phase of its South Shore Waterfront Green Promenade construction project, which, according to a press conference at the bureau’s headquarters, was slated to get off the ground by the end of this year and take two years to complete.
The first phase of the “green promenade” project, carried out in 2020 and opened for a trial run in 2021, covers about 15,000 square metres between the Macau Science Centre and the Kun Iam Statue.
When asked by reporters whether the areas of the two phases would be connected, IAM Roads and Drainage Department Chief Ho Man Him merely said during the press conference that while new facilities might be added to phase one, there were also plans to widen the pedestrian section along Avenida Dr Sun Yat-Sen, after which the area connecting the first and second phase could be used for walking or jogging.
The bureau may also raise the two phases’ coastal embankment as appropriate in the future, while also building a footbridge connecting the Barra Transport Hub and the green promenade project, Ho said.
According to the press conference, in line with the “Macau Urban Development Master Plan (2020-2040), the second-phase project’s layout will be divided into zones with different functions, with its “dynamic routes” involving a barrier-free waterfront leisure trail and cycle track extending across the whole area. The waterfront leisure trail will be at least five metres wide, while the two-way cycle track will be about 1,300 metres long and each lane four metres wide, with a total length of about 2,600 metres in one lap, according to the press conference.
11 areas in 3 themed zones
At the press conference, senior IAM official Leong Ian Tong briefed the media about the project’s design concept based on the three main themes, among which the parent-child play zone will incorporate a micro-topographical design with undulating slopes, blending with innovative play facilities suitable for different age groups, such as a gradient climbing area, concave slides and mid-air footbridges, as well as a parent-child pedal car area the design of which is based on the Guia Circuit, in addition to a training area and a balance bike area.
The leisure and recreation zone, which will consist of a ball court area, fitness area, integrated skateboarding area and multipurpose square, featuring, respectively, five-a-side football pitches, basketball courts and training courts, public fitness area, a balance and obstacle area, a sitting-out area for senior citizens and an “inclusive area” for the physically impaired, as well as facilities such as a bike rental hut and public toilets which could be concealed in the landscape by adopting a design with undulating slopes, and a waterfront performance stage, a dry fountain square and scenic trail, Leong said. Members of the public will be able to set off firecrackers and fireworks in the square during designated dates in the Chinese New Year (CNY) period.
The project also highlights a waterfront scenery zone, where different spaces for viewing the waterfront will be set up, including a central square and viewing platform, according to Leong, with the upper deck connecting to a bicycle bridge, while the lower will feature multipurpose space or commercial space, and an outdoor waterfront platform. Leong added that open-air eating-out spaces and viewing platforms will be set up at the eastern end of the area, while angling areas will be set up along the coast.
A new temporary road is planned in the leisure area’s northern end for vehicles connecting Rua da Torre de Macau and the phase-two area. It will also be equipped with about 80 roadside parking spaces, a number of motorcycle parking spaces and a passenger loading and unloading area for coaches, Leong said.
Budget available only after final plan: IAM
The officials did not reveal the project’s budget, and Ho said that a public tender and budget would be available only after the final construction plan was ready, adding that further adjustments may be made after listening to the views of other IAM departments.
The design for the project’s detailed structure has yet to be completed, according to Ho.
He added that the second phase is several times larger than the first, so the budget must be higher than the first phase.
In 2020, the government budgeted the first-phase project at least 60 million patacas.
When asked how long the ball courts near Sai Van Lake would be closed for use once the second-phase project gets off the ground, Ho pointed out that construction will first take place at the ball court near the Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge.
The artist’s rendition provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows a barrier-free waterfront leisure trail of the second phase of its South Shore Waterfront Green Promenade between Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (the “Old Bridge” between the peninsula and Taipa) and the Gate of Understanding near Sai Van Lake.
Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) officials, including Roads and Drainage Department Chief Ho Man Him (second from left) and senior official Leong Ian Tong (right) announce details of the second phase of the bureau’s South Shore Waterfront Green Promenade project during yesterday’s press conference at the IAM headquarters on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
