Son Lei Building leads the way as Iao Hon’s first and only applicant

The government is moving forward with the redevelopment of the seven-building complex in Iao Hon.

While the plan has been on the table for 20 years, only the owners of Son Lei Building have applied for an urban conditions plan (PCU) that sets the boundaries of the development.

On the topic, government authorities have said that, without increasing population density, they will relax some restrictions on usable living area and slightly increase the number of units that can be built in the redevelopment.

During Wednesday’s Urban Planning Committee meeting, the committee discussed and approved 13 PCUs, including the one for the Son Lei Building land plot within the Iao Hon Seven-Building Complex urban renewal project.

The complex comprises 2,556 residential and commercial units, yet only a single building has so far advanced with concrete measures for urban renewal plans.

At the meeting, representatives from the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU) stated that while developing the entire seven-building complex would yield greater benefits, the bureau is obliged to issue the single PCU based on the application received.

Given that the Iao Han area already has an extremely high population density of over 140,000 residents per square kilometer, authorities have proposed a modest increase in the maximum number of units, from 224 to 236.

Concurrently, it is proposed that the usable floor area for residential units be increased by 20% from the original baseline. The bureau said to believe that by following this method it would help balance population density and improve the living environment.

Additionally, the plot usage ratio is proposed to be raised to 10 times, which would facilitate the provision of supporting facilities such as commercial spaces and parking lots, enhancing community amenities.

Speaking after the meeting, the bureau director Lai Weng Leong noted that Macau’s overall population density remains relatively high. While the northern district aims to reduce population density in its redevelopment plans, he said that for other areas of Macau, “we also do not wish to see population density increase further.” He stressed that all adjustments are made on the premise of not increasing population density, adhering to the principle of balance.

The authorities also acknowledged that covering full construction costs through urban planning measures alone is not easy. The government will consider whether conditions exist to adjust premium fees and identify suitable areas for large-scale redevelopment.