Macau’s urban renewal work will be left for the city’s next Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo Arrais do Rosário said on the sidelines of yesterday’s meeting of the Urban Renewal Committee.
“For sure it can’t be finished by this government. More time is needed. The work is certainly going to be left for the next government,” said Rosário. “If the CE candidate has other opinions regarding the research report, for sure there is no problem [with making changes]. There is no need to rush.”
The local government signed a contract with a consulting firm to research Macau’s urban renewal policies. The firm has not offered an opinion to the local government but has helped provide in-depth understanding on policies which are being adopted in Macau’s neighboring regions.
A report on the research was delivered to the Urban Renewal Committee yesterday, and was approved by the committee.
According to Rosário, the report only represents the first step of Macau’s urban renewal work. Next, the current Chief Executive will offer his opinions on the research. After the Chief Executive has approved the research report, a public consultation will be held.
“What was passed today is not the final decision,” the Secretary said, explaining that the research will be modified after the public consultation.
Regarding the percentage of approval from owners of a building which has been proposed to be demolished, Rosário said that the topic will be included in the public consultation and has been included in the approved report.
“The topic must be mentioned, everybody knows. Regarding how we are proposing policies for this topic, I don’t know because we haven’t completed the consultation draft yet,” Rosário said. “Only after the government is in possession of the final version of the consultation report will there be conditions for the government to select some methods.”
According to the Secretary, the public consultation can be launched in 2019.
The incoming Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, who is currently the only candidate for the role, previously claimed that urban renewal will not involve commercial real estate projects and indicated his disagreement with the forced demolition of buildings.
“I will not comment on things related to the Chief Executive candidate,” Rosário said when asked about Ho’s statement.
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