The Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao organized the “Joint Workshop on Macao Heritage Integration” with Jiangnan University, Jiangsu PRC on 15-19 March. 11 students from the School of Design and Architecture of Jiangnan University, led by Dr. Zhu Rong and Dr. Wu Yao, joined the IFT Hotel Management Bachelor Degree Programme Year 3 and some of Heritage Management Year 4 students, led by IFT facilitators, Dr. Francisco Pinheiro and Ong Chin Ee at the workshop, to research on possible preservation and revitalization strategies for Macao cultural heritage. Research areas include:
l Adaptive reuse of Mandarin House and the yellow houses in Lilao Square
l Preservation and reuse of industrial heritage: Yec Long Firecrackers Factory
l Preservation and improvement of urban public spaces and streetscape: Camoes Square to 5th October Avenue and Hong Kong Miu Temple The workshop,an academic exercise for the students in the Facilities and Properties Management course of Hotel Management, intends to analyze several aspects and relations between hospitality facilities quality experience and their contribution for increasing the tourism carrying capacity of Macao in harmony with local communities needs and expectations. In the 5-day joint workshop, the students from the two institutions, divided into different groups, visited the sites for in-depth field appreciation and thorough study of the heritage places. Photos and video images were taken and dimensions carefully measured for SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). They also had a chance to interview the tourists and residents in the area to find out their prospects for the development of these heritage sites. From the data collected, the students worked out the possible strategies on sustainable development of these heritage sites in terms of preservation and area revitalization. The students proposed their designs and concepts on the last day of the workshop. It is generally believed that in order to achieve sustainable development, public involvement and more cultural interaction is essential. To meet this goal, transportation network and parking facilities have to be improved. It was proposed to pedestrianise the 5th October Avenue and put up signage to form a zone for walking tours, linking the Ruins of St. Paul, Camoes Square and Hong Kong Miu Temple. This measure is hoped to bring economic resurgence to the inner harbor area. For revitalization policies on Mandarin House and Yec Long Firecrackers Factory, the students summarized suggestions from interviews with local residents and came out with various renovation plans. Besides converting the buildings to cultural heritage museums, policy makers can consider reserving rooms for recreation, performance arts and creative industry. Suggested value adding facilities include library, exhibition hall, performing house for Chinese opera and rest place for residents and tourists. Other facilities, such as bookstores, cafeterias and themed restaurants can generate fund for the upkeep of the buildings. Based on these exploratory and preliminary proposals, it is hoped that more research and consultation can be done to help elaboratedifferent possible scenarios for heritage conservation. The joint workshop helped the participants to visualize design concepts in the unique heritage environment of Macao and provided good opportunities for them to interact and learn from each other. A participant of the workshop, Zhou Yang (Year 4 student, Jiangnan University), said that she treasured this exchange opportunity with students from IFT. After the workshop, she realized that heritage conservation is not only about restoring the structure of the buildings, but also how to integrate the heritage to local community and how to be economically sustainable. The workshop opens up opportunities for idea for heritage management and cultural tourism to converge and signifies another successful collaboration between IFT and higher institutions in the Mainland. Aiming to benefit Macao and the Mainland through rigorous training of heritage and tourism professionals, IFT looks forward to future collaborations with other higher institutions around the world.
