Height plans draw scrutiny at Taipa heritage site

Sam Po Temple

A proposed 11.2-meter building next to Sam Po Temple in Taipa has drawn scrutiny from urban planning committee members, who said its scale could overshadow the heritage site and alter the entrance to Taipa’s old town.

The proposal was discussed at the Urban Planning Committee’s fifth regular meeting, where members also raised concerns about heritage conservation and development plans involving the Wong Tong Yeung Study Hall, Inner Harbour arcades and historic streetscapes.

About one-third of the site next to Sam Po Temple falls within its heritage buffer zone, according to the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC). Members called for a lower building height on the side facing the temple to better reflect the surrounding low-rise environment.

Members also raised concerns over the narrowness of Rua de Fernão Mendes Pinto at this point, describing the street as “passive” and lacking interactive elements. The Land and Urban Construction Bureau’s (DSSCU) Urban Planning Department explained that shifting the plot eastward to widen the street would be difficult due to existing trees, height differences, and the need to preserve the small open space between the site and the temple. Some members expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that the government and the landowner appeared to have different visions, leading to stagnation, and suggested exploring broader urban renewal policies to achieve a win-win outcome.

Wong Tong Yeung Study Hall

The draft plan for Avenida do Coronel Mesquita, the former site of the Wong Tong Yeung Study Hall – one of Macau’s few remaining Qing dynasty private schools – became a focal point of debate. The draft proposes a social facilities designation with a building height of 20.5 meters, replacing the 2020 version, which divided the site into three conservation zones. Members expressed concern that the current plan only requires retaining distinctive architectural components and elements, rather than preserving the building’s original massing and spatial structure.

One member described the shift as a major reversal from previous conservation efforts, noting that the study hall, though dilapidated, retains significant architectural and historical value, including rare decorative features such as plaster carvings and ornate window frames. The member warned that these delicate features could not simply be removed and reinstalled, and that preserving only fragments would fall short of meaningful conservation.

IC acknowledged that the owner had sought to build an elderly home on the site, but fire safety regulations and the site’s depth made it difficult to incorporate the existing structure. As a result, the specific zoning requirements were relaxed to guiding principles, with the expectation that key exterior features and components would still be preserved. Some members suggested exploring a hybrid approach, similar to Hong Kong’s Kwong Wah Hospital, where a heritage building was retained within a larger modern development, allowing for both conservation and new construction.

Preservation of inner harbour arcade facade

The draft plan for Rua das Lorcha, a row of buildings dating back to 1873, proposed rebuilding the arcade based on the neighboring building, known locally as the “Opium House.” One member pointed out that the buildings in question feature round columns between the first-floor windows, which better reflect the original architectural design, while the Opium House has been altered with square columns. The member argued that the original design should be restored to maintain the historical integrity and visual unity of the row, noting that the buildings have been vacant for several years but remain largely intact.

The DSSCU’s department said the draft already requires the retention of the arcade character and reconstruction in line with surrounding buildings, while IC noted that the site is not a classified heritage property or within a buffer zone but had issued an opinion calling for the continuation of Inner Harbour architectural features. The committee ultimately did not impose additional restrictions on facade preservation.

Streetscape rules limit balconies in Rua dos Ervanários

The draft plan for Rua dos Ervanários proposed residential, commercial, and tourism uses with a height of 20.5 meters and restrictions on balcony construction to protect the historic streetscape. In response to a member’s query on when balconies are restricted, the Urban Planning Department explained that such restrictions generally apply to areas with historical character, including Taipa and Coloane old towns and the Rua dos Ervanários area, to prevent disruption to the distinctive streetscape.