MUR visits FAOM to discuss old district revitalisation

Macau Urban Renewal Company (MUR) recently visited the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) and was warmly welcomed by the association’s president Ho Sut Heng and its members.

During the meeting, MUR Board of Directors members and engineers briefed the community group on the layout plan design and progress of Iao Hon Estate’s face-to-face interviews, Lot P in Areia Preta where temporary housing and home swap units would be built, and Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) in Hengqin.

After giving the association the latest update on the three projects MUR is undertaking, both sides exchanged views on topics such as revitalising old districts and the practice of prefabrication.

MUR Chairperson of the Board of Directors Peter Lam Kam Seng said that gradual progress is being made on the three projects, and a prefabrication practice would be used for the MNN project. MUR will arrange site visits for construction industry partners and workers during the construction period for the sector to learn more about prefabrication. MUR hopes to have support from FAOM.

The revitalisation of old districts is also MUR’s main task. For the Iao Hon Estate project, the seven blocks of buildings will be redeveloped gradually with environmentally-friendly features and greened areas added to the area, without increasing housing density there. However, complicated issues such as property ownership, construction and residents moving back to their original place need to be solved during the redevelopment process.

FAOM’s close link with the community would help MUR communicate with property owners and go over redevelopment details with them to facilitate urban renewal.

Ho said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, construction workers need to respond to the changes impacted by the economic environment, the workforce needs to be thoroughly prepared in order to adapt to the diversified development of society. Urban renewal is a challenge and the percentage of consent required from property owners for redevelopment to go ahead is one of the key factors for the realisation of urban renewal.

Ho said that with efforts from different sectors, she hopes to see Iao Hon being redeveloped as soon as possible with the addition of better auxiliary facilities to improve residents’ quality of life, and see urban renewal in Macau go full steam ahead.