Public Participation in Urban Renewal in Macao

The intricate web of stakes and social culture context presents significant hurdles to urban renewal in Macao, where a fusion of Chinese and Western influences has given rise to distinctive urban patterns and legal systems. An effective public participation process contributes to implementation or operation of urban renewal. In practice of urban renewal in Macao, various types of public participation activities have emerged during the implementation of specific urban renewal projects, varying in scale and approach. Although Macao has accumulated practical experience, theoretical research in this domain remains relatively scarce. Therefore, this chapter reviews the history of urban development and renewal in Macao. It explores urban development policies and projects in different historical periods. It illuminates the diverse forms and degrees of public participation in various renewal historical periods. Between 1864 and the 1930s, no public participation in urban renewal. From 1932 to 1936, this period marked an idealized form of empowerment in public participation, with indirect and incomplete participation. From 1974 to 1999, a lower level of symbolic participation has occurred. Post-1999, signifying the beginning of modern public involvement in urban renewal in Macao. Three types of participation emerged in practice: government-led public participation, community-led participatory, and privately-led public participation in urban renewal with different forms and degrees of engagement.