Conquering the frontier of change : a new approach for the identification and retention of the spirit of place of Rua dos Ervanários, Macau

Abstract

Rua dos Ervanários is one of the most famous business streets in Macau. Well known for its cluster of traditional businesses, Rua dos Ervanários (關前正街), it is one of Macau’s most-important historic streetscapes. However, the street is turning into a creative-industry retailing area and it is now facing the loss of its spirit of the place through gentrification. This dissertation focuses on identifying the tangible and intangible elements that made up of the Spirit of Place of Rua dos Ervanários. According to the Quebec Declaration, “the spirit of place is made up of tangible… as well as intangible elements…, which all significantly contribute to making place and to giving it spirit….” However, there is an issue with this statement, as there is the question of what is the basis for identifying these tangible and intangible elements? This question is not addressed in the Quebec Declaration. As such, the author has the idea of using the Statement of Significance as the basis for identifying the tangible and intangible elements that form the Spirit of Place of Rua dos Ervanários. In other words, the character-defining elements associated with the heritage value of Rua dos Ervanários will become the basis of the tangible and intangible elements that make up of the Spirit of Place of the study site. By this approach, the Spirit of Place can be connected with the cultural heritage significance of the place, thereby giving more clarity to understanding the spirit and significance of the place as an integrated concept. This is an original approach that the author wishes to demonstrate, to show that the SoS can incorporate other concepts to expand its application for a broader and more holistic understanding of cultural heritage places.