92 Macau property
End of an era
Was it legitimate to erase a piece of history to make
way for public housing ? Were alternatives to the
demolition of the Mong-ha military quarters ignored?
by Alexandra lages
B
uilt during the Second World Fellow architect Rui Leão could tected monuments but ultimately failed.
War, the Mong Ha military quar- not hide his indignation: “It is without a Among the ideas they had for the site was
ters represented a major part of doubt one of the few examples of expres- the establishment of a military museum
Macau’s history. The then City of the sionism, which is part of the modernist or activities centre.
Name of God was isolated and awaiting movement. It is also catalogued in the Marreiros says this is not a new
an imminent Japanese invasion after To- listing of buildings with historical value idea. When he served as a member of the
kyo’s forces had made their way through by Arcasia, which comprises 19 associa- former Commission for the Protection of
mainland China. tion of architects from the Asian conti- Cultural and Landscaping Heritage, cre-
It’s also one of the city’s few modern- nent”. ated during the Portuguese administra-
ist buildings and due to its “architectural tion, the same proposal was submitted
value”, it was included on the MSAR’s failed bid many times.
proposed cultural heritage list for many “We suggested that the area be clas-
a decade. For Carlos Marreiros, who is well sified as a heritage site but it never hap-
Architects are in agreement on this acquainted with the Mong Ha site, no pened. The authorities at the time deemed
point but opinions differ on whether the compliment is too overblown: “It is a it of no worth,’’ recalls Marreiros.
reasons given for the demolition of the modernist site, very well designed and According to a note from the former
former base for the Portuguese military balanced. In terms of representing the lo- Secretary for Transportation and Public
- to create space for more public housing cal architecture, it is quite valuable, not- Works, Au Man Long, dated 2005, the
and boost the job market - mask some- withstanding its state of disrepair in the land was allotted free of charge to the
thing more sinister. last 20 years,’’ he says. Macau Assistance and Beneficence Com-
Architect, historian and city plan- The architect also adds that the fact mission, later named Social Assistance
ner Francisco Vizeu Pinheiro says of the that it is modern “with classical arches” Institute (IAS), on January 16, 1943. The
decison: “To destroy the building creates makes it look like a recent building, area comprises 3,569 square metres.
an irreparable loss. It has value for its which is is why it was ignored by most Official documents show that the
context and for the era it symbolizes. It’s people. IAS did not have a development plan for
a period in Macau’s history that will be The Guia Lighthouse Protection the site and it was decided to cancel the
destroyed. There won’t be anything left Group had wanted the Mong-Ha Military concession of the land so as to allow it
from that time.’’ Quarters to be included in the list of pro- “to be given an adequate purpose”. Five
december 2008
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