Urban planner: Way of decorations hanging on ‘Happiness Street ‘not ideal’

An urban planner has described the way decorations were hung on Rua da Felicidade during the pedestrianization campaign as “not ideal”.

Although he did not see the use of expansion anchor bolts on the exterior of buildings on Rua da Felicidade, commonly known in English as Happiness Street, to hang decorations during the past long holidays as severely damaging, urban planner Lam Iek Chit told local media Cheng Pou that the method was “not ideal.”

He even pointed to the festive lighting installation on Senado Square as an example to prove that alternative methods exist. No holes were drilled on the Municipal Affairs Bureau or the General Post Office buildings, he said.

Earlier, complaints had been received on public channels about the way in which the pedestrianization decorations were hung on Happiness Street. Some members of the public asked about the possibility of cracks and water leakage after the puncturing of the external walls.

It was also asked why the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) reacted so severely after scratches were made on the outer wall of the Mandarin’s House, but allowed constructors to puncture the walls of Happiness Street buildings.

Buildings on the street are listed as part of Macau’s local cultural heritage, meaning that any alterations require approval from the IC.

In response to the complaints, the IC department head for cultural heritage, Choi Kin Long, said the Happiness Street listing falls into the category of ensembles, meaning groups of architectures. The IC allowed the installation of signboards, advertising billboards, promotional materials and temporary festive decorations, he added.

On the same matter, Lam said any installation of metal structures on historic architecture should be allowed on a restricted basis, such as to prevent further deterioration or damage, and upgrading the buildings to meet modern requirements. However, he could not see this was the basis in the recent punctures.

It is stated in the Burra Charter – a global document governing the protection of historic sites – that such sites must be protected based on their existing structure, use, relevance and meaning, while alterations must be minimized and conducted with exceptional caution.

Lam sees the punctures as conflicting with Charter provisions.

On the existence of signboards, Lam considered it a commercial tradition, as commercial activities are still occurring in these buildings. However, he did not see the hanging of decorative installations a commercial necessity.

The urban planner said these buildings have existed for over a century and a half, and that the conditions of their bricks may not be satisfactory.