The preliminary proposal for the creation of Macau’s Integrated International Tourism and Culture Zone is currently circulating among several local sectors to collect technical and conceptual contributions. PLATAFORMA had access to the document, which describes a cultural and urban restructuring of the city, integrating museums, creative spaces, performing-arts centers and commercial areas dedicated to cultural production. The plan sets as its central objective strengthening Macau’s position as an international exchange platform, aligned with the “One Centre, One Platform” strategy and the policy of economic diversification.
The initiative proposes the creation of a large-scale cultural zone that brings together three main facilities. The first is the National Museum of Macau Culture, planned for the land east of the Macau Tower, with an estimated area between 80,000 and 100,000 square meters. It will host collections, exhibitions, educational programs, research activities and artistic incubation spaces. The second is the International Center for Performing Arts, to be built in the western section of Zone C of the New Reclamation Area, with an area between 55,000 and 65,000 square meters, dedicated to performances of various scales, technical training, rehearsals and the creation of new productions. The third is the International Museum of Contemporary Art, planned for the eastern side of the same zone, covering between 35,000 and 45,000 square meters and designed to host art exhibitions, international exchange programs and new models of cultural commerce.
The document establishes four strategic goals: creating a platform that supports Macau’s external openness; developing a new engine for the cultural industries; generating opportunities for qualified employment; and consolidating a distinctive cultural landmark that meets the demands of a globalized city. The plan also presents a set of operational arguments, stating that the project will allow for resource optimization, reduced pressure on public finances and the integration of Macau into the cultural networks of the Greater Bay Area.
The proposal argues that the three facilities should operate in an articulated and complementary manner, combining exhibition, creation, research, tourism and commercial activities. The goal is for the zone to become a space that brings together Chinese and Western cultures, promoting creativity, innovation and the circulation of talent. Heritage conservation, professional training, artistic production and public presentation would be distributed among the facilities, allowing for broad coverage of the cultural value chain.
The current phase involves collecting opinions in order to “achieve social consensus,” according to the document. Contributions should focus on the suitability of the chosen locations, the urban integration of the facilities, the functional needs of each structure and the priorities for the development of cultural industries.
