Macau’s concessionaires have submitted plans to the government for the revitalization of six older areas of the SAR, but more than two months after these plans were announced, details remain scarce. Is it reasonable to expect private companies to handle such projects, and should their plans be made public? IAG takes a look.
In late May, Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng held a press conference at which he revealed the city’s six gaming concessionaires had submitted detailed revitalization plans for bringing some of the city’s older districts back to life. He also revealed that the Macau SAR Government has already agreed to those plans.
The Chief Executive’s statement immediately caused heated debate within the local community, where issues of conservation have long been viewed as important steps forward. This, it was noted, was the first time the government has openly stated that “revitalization of old districts” would be left to private enterprises.
In his press conference, Ho said concessionaires understood the mindset of tourists and knew what was needed to attract them to some previously underutilized areas.
“Concessionaires have submitted to the government the revitalization proposals for old districts, with detailed plans of revitalizing commercial elements in six old districts,” Ho said. “The government has already agreed with these plans and (concessionaires) will implement them soon.”
Under the new gaming concessions signed by concessionaires in December, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is listed as a general obligation, covering everything from charitable initiatives, staff development, education, scientific research, environmental protection, and cultural and sports activities in Macau.
Revitalization is also seen as an important contribution, and while the government has not yet disclosed any specific details about the concessionaire proposals, some information was made public by the concessionaires late last year.
For example, Galaxy Entertainment Group will take responsibility for redeveloping the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards at Coloane, SJM for the districts around Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (spanning from Hotel Lisboa to Ponte 16). The Barra district belongs to MGM China and the “Historical Center of Macao” is the responsibility of Wynn Macau.
Cultural Heritage Council member and urban planner Rhino Lam believes handing the responsibility for revitalization to private enterprises can be a positive move.
“When we review the track record, we will find that many previous revitalization programs led by the SAR Government have been criticized and lacked effectiveness,” he said. “So now to have the concessionaires attempt this task, it would not be a 100% bad thing.
“Looking at the current situation, with private sectors handling the revitalization of old districts, those districts can be commercialized.
“The private sectors will choose popular projects for profit-making and will be more efficient than government.”
While some previous instances of private enterprise works have also failed, Lam said, “Since [the revitalization process] has started, we can give it a try. After all, the government has the ownership (of those old districts) and can take them back if (the development projects) fail, and restart another project.”
He does, however, urge the government to release more details about the revitalization plans.
“We are unable to find out any details about this issue. It concerns the preservation and public interest so it should be made public,” he says.
According to the new concession contracts, Macau’s concessionaires must propose their plans for the coming year by the end of September, relating to social and livelihood developments. However, their plans have not yet been disclosed as of July.
“The government had received the plans from concessionaires in the middle of March but did not announce it to the public, so not even legislators knew about those plans,” said Legislator Lam U Tau.
“How can local SMEs cooperate with the concessionaires and the government for development [if they don’t know details]?
“I agree with the idea that concessionaires support the society in developing diverse industries, however, the public knows nothing about the direction of development.”
Lam suggested that a transparent mechanism is needed for private enterprises to support social development.
“There are many examples of corporate participation in social development,” he said. “For example, the Hong Kong Jockey Club had set up a fund in facilitating social development. However, Macau is a case of planning before proceeding.”
Another legislator Leong Hong Sai has directly questioned the government’s revitalization plans by way of a written inquiry, but in reply the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) merely emphasized that “concessionaires have submitted their 10-year development plans in detail, which includes the revitalization plans for old districts.
“Concessionaires are required to submit an annual report on the investment plans implemented in the last year and a report about the implementation program of the specific approved projects, including the amount of investment in specific projects, the timing of implementation and the effectiveness of the projects,” the DICJ added in its reply.
“The system had an ongoing assessment, communication and monitoring mechanism in overseeing the concessionaires’ contribution to the moderate economic diversification and the sustainable development of the Macau economy.”
It seems only time will tell what’s in store for Macau’s old districts.
