Articles
Macao: A Chinese City with a Western Heritage.
Beginning as a relatively small fishing village in the XVI century, Macao has become by the end of this century, an impressive cosmopolitan and multiracial city-state.
Two parallel historical search lines appear in the North China border, where the Russian explorers of Siberia reached Manchuria and in the South China, where the Portuguese seafarers on route to India reached Japan and China.
During centuries, the general mutual cultural and technological influence between this two western countries and China were beneficial.(1&2) The same similar influence and mixed culture can be found in the modern Singapore. By the end of the second millennium, Macao could be considered one of the world's most multicultural cities.
The old predominant ``image''of Macao was the ``Praia Grande'' (long beach) were a row of dignified western houses, extended along 700 yards in a pleasant promenade covered with trees in a crescent shape of the bay .
The Chinese city was located toward the Inner Harbour and the surrounding streets of the western urban nucleus. (3)
Many articles have been written about Macao, particularly, its eclectic architecture inspired by Chinese and Western styles that have dotted the city's landscape. (4&5)
Unfortunately most of the beautiful traditional Chinese city in Macao was destroyed, and replaced by new and despersonalized overcrowded buildings.
Almost no voice was called for its preservation. The same is happening -in
the name of modernization- all over China and in many Asian countries.
A strategic plan and guidelines for Macau historic sites
In North East Asian Countries, China, Japan and Korea, the majority of historic and traditional buildings have been demolished under the name of "international modernization". This actitude is rapidly destroying the cultural identity and strong traditional cultural values.
To preserve the legacy from the past there is a need to join efforts, in order to increase awareness for our heritage, and interchange knowledge of preservation techniques.This is the first step to start an effective strategy leading to the solution of heritage related problems.
Therefore, it is of common agreement among academics and practitioners to compile a training manual or guidelines for conservation and regeneration of historic cities in North East Asian Countries based on the output of the several previous meetings.
To realize this goal, the Architecture Institute of Japan (A.I.J.), at the beginning of the XXI century had organized the regional expert group meeting in Tokyo in February 2001.
It is under consideration the possibility to open training courses, for conservation
and regeneration of historic cities in North East Asian Countries in the fall,
this year, in Japan.
A Macau Legend
Everybody knows that Macau is Ou Mun, the gate of the Bay, a place where West met China. Two questions soon arise. Where was this gate and who were the first ones who came trough it?Maybe was only a poetic reference, a legend.
Maybe was real… In Macau almost only one gate remained, the Border Gate. When that one disappears, not only “Macau” but also “Ou Mun” will be lost.
According with a legend there was a real door, made of stone in a place in the inner harbor, which precise location was lost in the fragile archives of time.
Doors in China could have two symbolic and practical meanings. The first one is the real gate, which open or close a space. Other is a door, an arch or portico, which mark spiritually a space, without closing or opening any specific area. Even could be in the middle of water, like the Japanese Tori.
ST. PAUL COLLEGE, THE PARADIGM BUILDING OF THE THREE ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN
EAST AND WEST
From the 16th century until the beginning of the new millennium Macau was the
place, which reflect the development of the three major encounters between China
and the West. Each of these encounters occurs in different historic situations.
In both sides human characters and complex social motivation were the leading protagonist of the process.
After the peaceful setting in Macau, the protagonist of the first meeting could not forecast the dramatic developments that happened in the second and third encounters.
For centuries Macau had functioned as a practice ground where social and cultural experiments had tested different European and Chinese interactions.
The city was similarly to a “chemistry” laboratory, producing good and bad solutions, which definitely had influence the health and wealth of each part involved in these experiments.
UIA XXI World Congress of Architecture Berlin, July 22-26, 2002
HIGH TECH INFRASTRUCTURE
AND THE IMPROVEMENT THE CITY RESSOURCES THE MACAU TOWER
Other important restricted access city spots could be “liberated” for the recreational use of citizens and tourist. These are the areas actually occupied by communication towers.
Each corporation has its small little old tower, already outdated technology. Some of them are located in the best view points over the city and the river.
The most famous case is Guia Chapel which platform area is less than 50% available for the public.
UIA XXI World Congress of Architecture Berlin, July 22-26, 2002
Macau UIA Science and High Tech Facility WP member Report
This Report will naturally focus on the presentations made in the ICC and at the PlanComm 2002 (Exhibition panel and video of Macau buildings at the Science and High Tech Facilities Work Programme booth) and in other venues and places. This time Macau also
WP member was also part of the organization of the Berlin UIA meeting. A poster and a video of all the WP group was assemble and coordinate from Macau.
Aspects of mutual influences Between Western and Chinese Art
Short essay intended to analyze the main differences and influences between Western and Chinese art, particularly in the period of the first encounter with the west where Macao had a decisive influence.
Western "civilization" inherited from the Roman Empire, the main cultural characteristics. Civitas is the Latin root word that originated the concept of civilization and culture.
Early myths in China are Cosmogonic (quest when the universe begins) and Cosmological (how the universe work). Rulers had a direct connection cosmological and whit heaven; there were the “son of heaven “.
Rulers justify their usurping and continuity in power in the name of the "Tian Ming" principia or the mandate from heaven, a formula or political ritual that will be apply many times in latter dynasties.
URBAN SPACES OF COLONIAL IBERIAN CITIES IN ASIA
MACAU, MALACCA, MANILA, GOA AND NAGASAKI
The spreading of Iberian cities in Africa, America and Asia was a civilization phenomenon that can be compared to the Roman and Greek Empires of the Ancient world.
Nowadays little is know of the four centuries of the Iberian Empire in Asia, that started when Portugal, one of the smallest remote and poorest European kingdom had survived from being conquered by the stronger Hispanic and Muslim kingdoms.