Region’s urban planning ‘facing urgent needs’

Zhang Zhiqing

A seminar on Macau’s urban planning was held last week at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST). Architecture scholars from several universities, including Waseda University and Tsinghua University, and other mainland universities, voiced their opinions during the event.

On the sidelines of the seminar, Lin Guangzhi, director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, said that Macau’s urban planning must involve cooperation with its neighboring regions, particularly Guangdong Province and the city of Zhuhai. 

In Lin’s opinion, the Greater Bay Area development plan is “an excellent opportunity” for Macau’s spatial expansion. 

When talking about the factors that affect Macau’s spatial expansion and development, Lin said, “one of the aspects is the economic element, which consists in industry. If we expand the space, but then we can’t use it for the gaming sector, then it is worth thinking about what [financial gains] it can be used for.”

The researcher believes that more space could be used for the tourism and leisure sector.

“Another aspect is population,” said Lin. “According to the estimates, by 2036, the [Macau’s] population will reach between 790,000 and 800,000. Due to the growing population, we need to expand our space.”

When offering suggestions to the Macau government, Lin said that all development and spatial use should be planned consistently with the government’s plan for the city’s development.

Zhang Zhiqing, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts of MUST, said that the seminar is an event related to one of MUST’s research and design camps. These study and create design plans for the spatial development of Macau.

Lin Guangzhi

When giving his opinion on Macau’s urban planning, Zhang said that “with the support of the State [China], we [Macau] have to expand our space. For Macau, it represents a development opportunity as well as a big challenge because the city must address the issue of space expansion.”

“We have realized that Macau, in terms of urban planning and space improvement, is facing urgent needs, including the need for talented human resources,” he declared. Zhang mentioned that MUST has applied for permission to open a Master of Architecture with the government, along with a PhD degree, in order to meet Macau’s future need for talented human resources.

According to Zhang, postgraduate students from the seven universities, including MUST and those mentioned earlier, have been making design plans and doing research together on the topic.

“Actually, the design phase has already started, where our professors are leading somewhere around 50 students,” said Zhang. He said the team is not just concerned with teaching activities; it also organizes field trips.

“The theme of the research is Macau’s urban space and sustainable development,” said Zhang, adding that “some ideas must [are bound to] be generated during the days teachers and students go out on field trips in Macau.”

The team will draft a report regarding their research results, which will later be presented in Japan, at Waseda University.