CPU members call for specific guidelines on historical building renovations, better supervision

Several members of the Urban Planning Committee (CPU) have called for more specific guidelines and instructions from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) on renovating and reconstructing buildings with historical value.

The debate began during the discussion of an urban conditions plan (PCU) for a building located on Rua do Volong in the Saint Lazarus neighborhood.

CPU member Teng Kai On noted that IC has been placing many concerns and restrictions on the building’s façades, but the same does not seem to happen with other architectural details, such as windows and doors. He said this leads to a de-characterization of the buildings and a “loss of purpose” of the rules for protecting buildings with historical value.

In response, the representative of IC at the CPU claimed that such matters are usually addressed at a later stage once the final design project is submitted to the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU), noting that IC issues “recommendations” to keep all these structures as close to the originals as possible.

Teng reaffirmed that the problem is not restricted to the building under discussion and the one beside it, which prompted the inquiry, but can be seen in several other buildings that have been renovated or reconstructed recently, remarking, “If there are these guidelines, then there is a lack of supervision and inspection, because the cases where this happened are multiple.”

Government representatives have responded that they will pay closer attention to such cases to avoid the issue.

On the same matter, member and architect Christine Choi added that specific instructions should also be given regarding the buildings’ accurate colors.

“We can’t just say that it is green and white; there are many shades of green, and we need to have uniformity in the color scheme. Maybe the IC could add the exact color code so that the owners could follow it, ensuring better uniformity,” she said.

The topic drew some remarks from CPU chairman and director Lai Weng Leong, who said that doing so in a single small-scale project would not be of great help, as paint colors change rapidly over time due to sun, rain, and other elements, and are also influenced (particularly in lighter tones) by the base layer of the building where they are applied.

Nonetheless, he noted that this could and should be done whenever possible for “large-scale renovation or reconstruction projects.”

On the topic, Teng also noted that the government has marked the Saint Lazarus neighborhood as an area of cultural and creative industries. For this to succeed, the many antique-style buildings need to be revamped more thoroughly and concertedly, rather than individually.

In response, the IC representative said, “This is an area that we aim to protect, and we even have a specific plan to subsidize repairs and reconstructions,” but added, “There are various issues in this area with other buildings, such as unknown owners, multiple owners, and owners who have moved out of Macau and are not reachable. To solve this issue, we need to request help from the courts.”

The Saint Lazarus neighborhood is known for its architectural characteristics and is frequented by visitors who often use it as a photo background.

Still, most buildings and building blocks are severely damaged and closed, with just a few exceptions that have been restored and repurposed, such as the block that now hosts the Macao Conservatory – School of Music, located right across from the building under discussion at the CPU.