Moving Forward in the Cracks: Governance Evolution and Implementation Dilemma of Urban Regeneration in Macao S.A.R.
Abstract：
Urban regeneration has become an important way for urban space expansion besides land reclamation in Macao S.A.R. Since 2013, the urban regeneration in Macao S.A.R. has experienced institutional transformation from “old area regeneration” to “urban regeneration”, which reflects the logic evolution of regeneration governance under the leadership of the government. This study first analyzes the institutional improvement, governance logic and governance difficulties of urban regeneration in Macao, and then takes Iao Hon regeneration project as an example to evaluate the impact of urban regeneration institutional change to project implementation. It reveals that under the influence of constraints of urban transformation resources, private land acquisition, urban landscape and development control constraints as well as urban positioning swing and planning absence, urban regeneration in Macao S.A.R. is facing multiple difficulties. The governance model of government supervision and Macao Urban Renewal Company operation reflects the internal logic of “Power delegation-Financing expansion- Livelihood economy”. However, the urban regeneration system under construction has not solved the underlying problems such as the solidification of private property rights consciousness and the difficulty of social consensus achievement in Macao’s urban regeneration. The absence of urban planning control and supporting policies hinders the implementation of the new urban regeneration institution. Urban regeneration in Macao should be further improved based on local governance environment, and improve the ability of multiple cooperation so as to gradually dissolve the multiple constraints.