A representative from the Concern Group for the Protection of the Guia Lighthouse, Chan Tak Seng, urged the Cultural Affair Bureau (IC) yesterday to complete the government’s preparations for the “Protection and Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Macau”.
Chan made the remarks outside the IC headquarters in Praça do Tap Seac, before a meeting between the group and officials of the Secretary for Social and Cultural Affairs in the building.
According to a statement provided by the group, “in 2005, the World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe the ‘Historic Centre of Macau’ on the World Heritage List and recommended ‘to make every effort to develop the management system so as to retain the existing structural and visual integrity, and to maintain the principal sightlines of the nominated area within its contemporary setting.’ However, 15 years later, the preparation of the ‘Protection and Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Macau’ has not yet been completed.”
According to Wikipedia, the World Heritage Committee selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
Chan said that the plan would protect the visual integrity and the principal sightlines of the Guia Lighthouse, adding that the plan should include “decisive measures to reduce the height of unfinished buildings, buildings under construction and buildings to be built adjacent to the Guia Lighthouse”.
Chan said that according to a 2008 executive order all new buildings located in Calçada da Surpresa would not be allowed to be taller than 52.5 metres. The executive order also stated that the government would keep the previously announced decision intact to maintain the height limitation of building projects in Avenida do Doutor Rodrigo Rodrigues at the foot of Guia Hill at 90 metres, according to Chan.
The executive order was signed by the then chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah.
However, Chan said that limiting the building height at 90 metres would not maintain the visual integrity of the Guia Lighthouse. He urged the government to abide by the World Heritage Centre guidelines and review the information for any major development project that may potentially impact the Guia Lighthouse before any irreversible decision is made.
After the closed-door meeting, IC President Mok Ian Ian told reporters that the bureau was grateful for the concern group’s comments, adding that the bureau valued the importance of Macau’s historical heritage. She also said that the bureau was actively looking for feedback from the general public on how to improve the “Protection and Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Macau”.
Mok said that her bureau will keep in touch with the group.
Chan Tak Seng, a representative from the Concern Group for the Protection of the Guia Lighthouse, talks to reporters before yesterday’s closed-door meeting with the Cultural Affair Bureau (IC) in front of the IC headquarters at Praça do Tap Siac. 
This photo taken yesterday shows the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Guia Lighthouse on Guia Hill. Photos: Prisca Tang
