Macau, China, June 29, 2026 (Lusa) - The Macau government announced on Monday that it has decided to develop a new area for tourist and cultural attractions, including a museum of contemporary art and a performing arts centre, on a reclaimed site previously earmarked for housing.
During a public consultation session held today on proposed amendments to the territory’s Master Plan, officials revealed that the new ‘International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone’ will be developed in Zone C, a reclaimed area of around 33 hectares built near Taipa Island, which has been awaiting development since its completion in 2022.
According to Pui Lam Law, a representative of Arup, a consultancy firm commissioned by the local authorities to assess the project, the land’s designated use will be reclassified from ‘residential and commercial zone’ to ‘zone for public facilities’.
Under Macau law, a zone designated for public facilities may be used for public, municipal, cultural, educational, social, recreational, sporting or healthcare facilities.
Pui indicated that the plan had been amended “in light of the diversified development needs of the ‘1+4’ industries” and “to ensure that the necessary land would be available”.
The “1+4” strategy is Macau’s economic diversification plan, which aims to strengthen the tourism and leisure sectors and promote four key industries: health and wellness, modern finance, high technology, and conventions, exhibitions, trade and sport, while maintaining a strong gaming industry.
According to the Land and Urban Construction Services Bureau (DSSCU), “three large-scale facilities” will be built in Zones B and C, two reclaimed areas situated between the Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island.
These include the National Museum of Macau Culture in Zone B, the International Museum of Contemporary Art and the Macau International Centre for the Performing Arts in Zone C, with the aim of “promoting the integrated development of diverse industries, such as tourism, culture and commerce”.
Pui explained that Zone B complements “existing cultural infrastructure”, namely the Macau Science Centre, the Macau Cultural Centre, the Statue of Kun Iam, Nam Van Lake and Sai Van Lake, “as well as with the cultural and recreational resources of the Macau Tower”, something he points out is already “conducive to the diversification of industries and to enhancing the overall appeal of the area”.
Furthermore, the two reclaimed areas present an “opportunity to enhance and highlight the landscape features and the urban skyline of both banks”, and “also hold potential for promoting cooperation between Macau and Zhuhai”, the neighbouring Chinese city.
At the same press conference, the representative highlighted that the population projections for the territory in 2024 had been revised downwards from 808,000 to 783,000.
The semi-autonomous Chinese city currently has a population of approximately 688,000.
The government will also reclassify a plot of land situated on the western side of Zone E1 of the New Urban Reclamation Area, previously classified as a residential zone, as a commercial zone; whilst the government will reclassify a plot of land on Wai Long Avenue from a residential zone to an industrial zone.
These two zones, situated next to Macau International Airport and the Taipa Passenger Ferry Terminal, will host the construction of a Science and Technology Research and Development Industrial Park.
According to Pui, both already “enjoy excellent transport links to the outside world”, facilitating the efficient movement of people, technologies and goods, whilst “strengthening Macau’s connection with regional and international innovation networks”.
The public consultation on the draft amendment to the Macau Master Plan runs until 27 August and includes three public information sessions.
JW/ADB // ADB.
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