MACAO MIXED ARCHITECTURE AND URBANIZATION
This article examines the concept of Macao Mixed Architecture and Urbanization (MMAU), a unique architectural culture resulting from four and a half centuries of multicultural synthesis. The author argues that Macao’s built environment is not merely a collection of imported Western styles but a comp...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
July 2002
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40003/2675 |
| Summary: | This article examines the concept of Macao Mixed Architecture and Urbanization (MMAU), a unique architectural culture resulting from four and a half centuries of multicultural synthesis. The author argues that Macao’s built environment is not merely a collection of imported Western styles but a complex hybrid of Portuguese influences and sensibilities integrated with techniques from Brazil, Africa, and other Portuguese outposts in Asia, such as Goa, Malacca, and Ceylon. Crucially, the study highlights the pervasive, often "hidden," presence of Chinese architectural principles—including traditional spatial organization, domestic lifestyles, and fengshui—within seemingly Mediterranean or Neo-classical structures. Through a historical overview of Macao’s urban evolution since the 16th century, the article analyzes how these diverse influences consolidated into a distinct local identity that persists despite the pressures of the modern "international style." Furthermore, the author addresses the challenges and outcomes of architectural preservation efforts over the late 20th century. Ultimately, the article posits that the survival of MMAU is central to the cultural pluralism of the Macao Special Administrative Region, representing a vital and ongoing dialogue between heritage and contemporary urban development. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |