The Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association released yesterday its academic research report on “The Evolution of Urban Patterns and the Study of Urban Planning Systems”, and Matias Lao Hon Pong, vice president of the association, urged the government to improve the laws and regulations on the direction of urban design and the supporting facilities.
“At present, while the urban planning mainly focuses on the functions and capacity of buildings, the direction of urban design is often overlooked,” Lao made the remarks when speaking to the media on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference at M Dimensions on Rua dos Artilheiros (،٦'L٥پ). He was quick to add that the draft plans, indeed, contain some urban design guidelines, “these guidelines are rather fragmented”, and that he hoped that the government would introduce laws and regulations or complementary measures in the direction of urban design in the future, so as to let the public know the pattern of future development.
Based on three case studies, namely the plan for stricter construction height limits on plots around Guia Hill; the relocation of the old tree in Cheok Ka Village ((ٹ.a'گ); and the flood prevention scheme in Coloane, the research report puts forward ideas and suggestions on the current planning structure for future planning.
The Macau Urban Master Plan (2020-2040) came into effect in February 2022, on which Lao raised concerns about the problem of land under the “yarn paper lease” – an unofficial, unregistered and unrecognised land contract – in some districts, such as Coloane and Pátio do Espinho, which would be subject to more restrictions. He suggested that consideration could be given to providing a certain degree of flexibility to land under yarn paper leases when the law is amended in the future, so as to facilitate suitable development and enable the users to improve their living environment.
Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association Vice President Matias Lao Hon Pong talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference about its academic research report on “The Evolution of Urban Patterns and the Study of Urban Planning Systems”, at M Dimensions on Rua dos Artilheiros. – Photo: Yuki Lei
