Linking the world heritage and industrial waterfront: urban revitalization of Porto Interior, Macao

Abstract

This design thesis is to provide an innovative design concept and approach to

revitalize the area of Porto Interior. In this design, a piece of industrial waterfront in

Porto Interior of Macao has been taken to revitalize the old town Macao and to

enhance the protection of the Historic Centre of Macao at the same time. This design

thesis is divided into 3 sections: 1) surveying, 2) planning and 3) landscape design

section to show the generation of the design process. Site selection, problem findings

and forecasting are supported by the surveying section. This information supports

the generation of landscape planning and design concept for the Porto Interior

waterfront.

The main design idea is to connect the world heritage of Macao to the water edge

and emphasize the linkage to other waterfronts in Macao in order to build up an

entire public open space system. The “Connection” idea is to re?link the world

heritage of Macao and Porto Interior waterfront in physical and mental way, as well

as tangible and intangible way. In the whole design process, nine heritage paths are

created in order to provide a physical linkage between the Historic Centre of Macao

to Porto Interior. Main landscape areas?the celebrate nodes are generated by the

intersection point between the heritage paths and the waterfront. Those nodes

contain with different functions, such as plaza, garden, infrastructure, leisure and

entertainment space and their design are inspired by the daily experience, story and

element of the Historic Centre of Macao. Those inspirations are captured or

interpreted into the nodes in mental and intangible way as well. This design idea and

approach will shorten the distance between the world heritage and Porto Interior. At

the same time, it provides a consistence experience to visitors and recalls visitors’

memory.

The new design for Porto Interior is able to improve the living and business

environment by providing higher quality public open space. Besides, vehicular

circulation is improved as the design thesis proposes the harbor tunnel to link up the

south and north of Macao and the light rail public transport system, moreover,

pedestrian circulation is enhanced since the share street concept is promoted and

the main carriageway between community and waterfront is narrowed, increasing

the accessibility and adaptability from the residential area to waterfront public open

space. “Connection” design vision is fully addressed in the waterfront design of Porto

Interior, Macao. The new design waterfront is able to be a unique public open space

to Macao, reflecting the spirit of the Historic Centre of Macao and blending with the

history of industrial waterfront simultaneously.