Historic Centre of Macao

• Possible negative impacts of development projects in areas surrounding the buffer zones on the visual integrity of the property
• Inadaquacy of the current management system

Since 2015, the World Heritage Centre requested comments from the Chinese authorities, in the framework of Paragraph 174 of the Operational Guidelines, concerning the construction of high-rise buildings in the vicinity and in co-visibility of the Historic Centre of Macao, yet these requests remained unanswered. After receiving third-party information in late 2016, the Centre requested that the State Party provide to the World Heritage Centre any relevant information and comments on this issue and the overall state of conservation of the property, for possible consideration at the present session of the Committee.

On 3 March 2017, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1110/documents/. The State Party also provided information on a project, which caused slight damage to Lou Kau Mansion in the Historic Centre of Macao, in response to the inquiries made by the World Heritage Centre in February 2016. These reports highlight the following:

• Legal and planning instruments have been further strengthened through the adoption of the Cultural Heritage Protection Law, Urban Planning Law and Land Law in March 2014.
• The Cultural Heritage Protection Law includes a chapter on the Historic Centre of Macao, which defines the characteristics of the property and guides the content and programming of the Protection and Management Plan (PMP) of the property. It stipulates that the local Government shall compile the PMP in consultation with the public and further clarifies that the PMP shall take precedent over other urban plans, in order to ensure that the property maintains its cultural and architectural importance as well as its environmental and landscape integrity. The local Government will carry out a public consultation concerning the PMP in 2017 in order to collect public opinions;
• The Urban Planning Law ensures that any urban planning within the property and its buffer zones requires advice from the Cultural Affairs Bureau. A holistic Urban Master Plan of Macao will be launched in the next three to five years, to be followed by a detailed plan that aims to control and regulate urban development in a scientific and transparent manner;
• Building heights restrictions in the development of the land plot "Macau Fisherman's Warf" located in the eastern area of the Guia Hill are still under discussion. The proposed 60m height restriction was more stringent than required by the Chief Executive Order of 2008, limiting the height to 90m within that zone. The Government will continue to review the matter and strictly abide by the Urban Planning Law and the Chief Executive Order while taking public opinions into account;
• As part of the city development, the Government intends to develop land reclaimed from the water between the Macao peninsula and Taipa Island. The Master Plan for New Reclamation (MPLR) is being developed in consultation with the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the general public. It foresees that the area located southeast of the Historic Centre of Macao (Zone B) and its buffer zones will act as a green corridor that enhances the urban landscape. The waterfront will be made up of residential units, while preserving the visual connection to the historic centre. A detailed urban plan can only be developed once the Master Plan is completed and so far, the Government has only completed the research for the urban development strategy;
• In February 2016, a wall collapsed at the construction site of Cathedral Lane No.1-5 and Rua de S. Domingos No.16A-16E, causing only slight damage to the first floor wall and stained glass windows of Lou Kau Mansion. The project has been suspended and measures are being taken to ensure the structural safety of Lou Kau Mansion as well as to repair the slightly damaged wall and windows.

The possible impact of high-rise developments on the landscape of Guia Lighthouse and Penha Hill, as well as growing concerns about lack of a Protection and Management Plan (PMP) of the property could have serious consequences for the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.

While the State Party's efforts to protect the Historic Centre of Macao from adverse development projects through the adoption of the 2014 Cultural Heritage Protection Law and the Urban Planning Law are noted, the current issue of height restrictions concerning the project at Macau Fisherman's Warf, the proposals for land reclamation around the property, and possible developments involving high-rise buildings all raise serious concerns.

Furthermore, information on the expected timescale for the completion of the Management Plan has not been provided. In view of the growing development pressure on the property, it is imperative that the Management Plan be completed as a matter of urgency, and submitted to the World Heritage Centre prior to its adoption, for review by the Advisory Bodies. It is also recommended that the Committee recall that the completed Management Plan was requested by 1 February 2015 and note the slow progress with the completion of the comprehensive Urban Plan, which was requested on several occasions.

It is noted that the MPLR is currently being developed in consultation with the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the general public, but it is unclear how this relates to the wider Urban Plan. Since land reclamation and subsequent developments could have a major impact on the property, it is also recommended that the Committee request that the State Party provide to the World Heritage Centre details of the draft MPLR for review by the Advisory Bodies before it is approved, and meanwhile to submit details of all current proposals for land reclamation, e.g. for Zone B.

It is finally recommended that the Committee request the State Party to ensure that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) are carried out for all new major construction projects.