Rua da Felicidade’s first stint at pedestrianisation happens on Friday, in a pilot phase of what the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) hopes will become a permanent arrangement.
Motor traffic will be barred from the street and its surrounding alleys between 11 am on Friday and 1 am on Saturday, making way for performances, art installations, and a night market.
The bureau has said the scheme will encourage foot traffic and be a boon for businesses in the area.
[See more: The government has announced a pedestrianisation pilot scheme for Rua da Felicidade]
Rua da Felicidade is located in the heart of the city and its 19th-century Chinese architecture has featured as a backdrop for several major films, including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Its name translates as “Happiness Street” and it was once the city’s red light district.
A significant amount of work has gone into preparing for its pedestrianisation, including the widening of pedestrian spaces, repaving roads, street light improvements, and the installation of new road signs.
Gaming concessionaire Wynn Resorts is providing financial support for the scheme, which is the second pedestrianisation project to take place in Macao. The first, on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (popularly known as San Ma Lo), cost 2.6 million patacas and was held over five days in January and February this year.
