Lawmaker flags stagnation in urban renewal amid aging buildings

Legislator Vong Hou Piu has recalled that over 4,000 buildings in Macau are more than 30 years old, with some exceeding 50 years, and noted that progress in urban renewal has stagnated, as no buildings have been successfully redeveloped under the Urban Construction Legal Regime.

The legislator stressed that many aging buildings in Macau have fallen into disrepair, exhibiting issues such as peeling exterior walls, rusted steel reinforcement, and aging drainage pipes. He warned that these problems not only detract from the city’s appearance but also pose safety threats to residents and pedestrians.

Vong stressed the need for a multifaceted approach to establish a more comprehensive and efficient building maintenance system, including improvements in legal frameworks, resource allocation, professional support, and public education.

“Two years after the Urban Construction Legal Regime took effect, Macau’s urban renewal progress remains stagnant, with no buildings successfully redeveloped under the law,” he stated.

He identified the prevalence of “three-nil buildings” – old structures lacking management bodies, management companies, or resident oversight – as a significant obstacle to organizing repair projects.

In his pre-agenda inquiry yesterday, Vong called for expanding the support provided by the Building Maintenance Fund and establishing a “one-stop” service window to assist owners, particularly those in “three-nil buildings,” in applying for relevant subsidies.

He also proposed regular structural safety inspection subsidies for buildings over 30 years old, with tiered support for repairs based on risk levels. To enhance owners’ sense of responsibility, he stated, “Many owners lack sufficient awareness of their responsibilities for building maintenance, leading to worsening building deterioration.”

Regarding the Building Maintenance Fund subsidy scheme, the Housing Bureau reported in February that a total of 512 cases involving 458 buildings were approved last year, totaling over MOP55 million in funding.

Meanwhile, also concerning housing issues, lawmaker Leong Hong Sai pointed out that the changing socio-economic landscape post-pandemic calls for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the “five-tier housing policy [social housing, economic housing, intermediate housing, elderly housing, and private housing].” He noted the narrowing price gap between public housing and the private property market, making the issue of “sandwich-class public housing” increasingly pronounced.

Among his recommendations, Leong suggested linking housing policies with population policies to encourage childbirth.

“For example, we should provide priority conditions in public housing applications for newlywed couples or families with minor children, or offer phased rental subsidies,” he proposed. Additionally, he urged the use of scientific data analysis to dynamically adjust the supply volume, unit types, and construction sequence of housing across each tier to prevent resource misallocation and avoid new supply-demand imbalances.