The Role of Iberian Institutions in the Evolution of Macao

Abstract

Since circa 1555, the Portuguese had already settled in Macao. Although surrounded by Chinese cities, Macao managed for 400 years to preserve and develop the Portuguese characteristics that are apparent in the city architecture. This western characteristic is what nowadays makes Macao different from its neighbors and is the backbone of the city’s unique “Cultural Identity” (CI). The city CI is such an important factor that the People’s Republic of China proposed to UNESCO that they include Macao in the World Heritage list. Considering that more than 95% of the population is of Chinese origin, we now raise an important question: what was the process of Macao’s foundation and how was it possible to maintain the Portuguese characteristics for so long amidst a sea of Asian civilization and culture? The answer is important, not only in understanding the city’s history, but also to make it possible to preserve the Macao CI for future generations. Following a comparative method of analysis of the similarities and differences with other overseas Portuguese cities in Asia, and after researching the historical evolution of Macao, we identified the key elements and clues that could provide the answer to this important question. The conclusions of the research point to the identification of the Portuguese principles for settling, and the Iberian institutions’ responsibility in maintaining the Portuguese characteristics that reflect the city’s social organization. The western cultural identity of the city was generated by its Iberian institutions through a compatible parallel development with the Chinese towns which occupy the same peninsula. © 2005, Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.