Urban planning | Apollo Cinema’s façade to be preserved

The former Apollo Cinema façade

The façade of the old Apollo Cinema, a light green building located in Macau’s main street San Ma Lo, will be preserved, a representative of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) told Urban Planning Committee members at a meeting held yesterday.
Several members expressed concerns over the protection of the façades and architectural features of old buildings, as government representatives and the committee discussed a total of 18 building projects.
Architect and committee member Rui Leão recalled that the building is located in a culturally relevant area of Macau, and although not listed as a protected building, “it is important to preserve its façade.”
An IC representative  assured the public that the bureau is indeed suggesting the preservation of the building’s façade. “We would like [the owner] to keep the building’s exterior features and we have issued a deliberation suggesting that the owner preserve the façade and respect the building’s original elements,” he stated.
While discussing another project, the committee called on the government to resolve traffic woes and pedestrian mobility issues within the Inner Harbor area.
Committee member and lawmaker, Mak Soi Kun, noted a lack of space for pedestrians, who often have to walk on the main road as the sidewalks are occupied by street vendors.
A representative of the Transport Bureau (DSAT) said that they are already working on a restructuring plan to reserve part of the street for pedestrians. He stated that they need to take into account plumbing issues, as the Inner Harbor’s district is often affected by floods during storms and heavy
rain.