MRI Forum 25

"Heritage and Urban Development in Macao"

by José Maneiras and Carlos Marreiros


Summary of the Presentation

Two well-known and respected architects of Macao, responsible for many of its landmarks, discuss the future of urban development in the SAR. How modernity and all its requisites can be made compatible with the imperative of preservation? How the “Historic Centre of Macao”, now part of UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List, can blend with the cyclopean projects of the New Casinos? Why and how should public spaces and buildings show the lead in combining the imperative of preserving memory and allowing modern life to make its way in the “New Macao”.

Profile of the Speakers

José C. da Silva Maneiras (馬斯華) was born in Macao in 1935 and is an architect. Since the end of the 1960s, his practice has been involved in many urban developments, namely the construction of SITOI (HK Bank Building), Tung Hei Kok, Luen Pong, Magran Residential Estate (Lisboa Garden, in Taipa), the Canidrome Swimming Pool Complex, Wah Meng and Wah Pou industrial estates. He was also behind the Pac-On Residential Estate and the Hac-Sa Dam Reservoir Watersports Recreational Centre. He oversaw the project of re-conversion of Hotel Belavista into the Portuguese Consul-General's Residence, and the remodelling of Forte Bom Parto´s house for senior staff members of the consulate. He is part of the design team for the new Tap-Seac Square (under construction of present) and the new traffic re-conversion scheme of the Dr. Carlos Assumpção – Rotunda, Taipa Island (to commence soon). He is the founding president of the Macao Architect Association (AAM), serving in this capacity for 3 consecutive terms. On more official grounds, José Maneiras was chairman of the Macao Municipal Council (Leal Senado) from 1989 to 1993, and is a former member of Macao Legislative Council, a former member of Macao Government Consultative Council, a member of the Consultative Council for the Macao Basic Law, and at present a member of the Association for the Promotion of the Basic Law of Macao. He is also the vice-president of the Association for the Protection of the Historical and Cultural Heritage of Macao.

Carlos Alberto dos Santos Marreiros (馬若龍) was born in Macao in 1957. He is a professional architect and town planner, partner and director of Marreiros, Arquitectos Associados and East & West Projects & Design, Ltd . In the last 25 years of architectural practice he has planned, designed and built in Macao, Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, Portugal and Australia. Since 1983 he has worked on many architectural conservation projects in Macao, and with Francisco Figueira drafted Law-Decrees No. 56/84/M and No. 83/92/M, and other regulations concerning Urban, Architectural and Cultural Conservation's Policies that are still in force. Carlos Marreiros was president of the Cultural Institute of the Government of Macao (1989-92). He is also a university professor, a writer and an artist. He has received many decorations, including the “Medal of Professional Merit” (Macao, 2002), the “Medal of Value” (Macao, 1999), the “Medal of Cultural Merit” (Macao, 1987), and the title of “Great Official of the Order of Prince Henry” (Portugal, 1999). He is a trustee of the Macao Foundation; a member of the Macao-SAR Government Consultative Council of Culture; a member of the Macao-SAR Government Environment Council and of the Consultative Council for the Renovation of Old Districts. He is the president of the GA of the Macao Architects Association (AAM) and the delegate of the Council of ARCASIA-Architects Regional Council of Asia (since 1999).