A Preliminary Study of Macao's Historic Building Classification – The Shop Houses on Rua de Outubro

Shophouses are a common type of multi-functional residential building, and this book explores them from a taxonomic perspective. These buildings typically have a rectangular plan and are two to three stories high. The ground floor is usually used for shops or non-residential purposes, while the upper floors are used for residences, offering flexible adaptation to user needs. They are highly adaptable to the local climate, construction methods, and materials. Due to their wide range of uses in daily life, they were once the primary building type on Macau's streets and possess significant historical, social, cultural, architectural, and aesthetic value. Unfortunately, this building type, with its small and scattered volume, has not been adequately protected by Macau's heritage conservation laws and is gradually disappearing due to rapid social development.

Macau's shophouses are based on Chinese architectural styles. Currently, only a few shophouses are protected as "monuments." Throughout their historical development, Macau's Chinese and Western architectural styles have influenced each other, a characteristic best reflected in the appearance of shophouses. This book identifies the classification of Macau's shophouses and consolidates their architectural definition. Due to rapid urban development, many Macau shophouses are unprotected and face the threat of disappearing, replaced by modern buildings. The protection and preservation of Macau's shophouses warrant in-depth discussion and widespread promotion. To this end, the author has invited several experts and scholars to share their ideas, experiences, and suggestions on the protection and future of shophouses discussed in this article.

The taxonomic study of old shophouses in Macau is the first step in their preservation, involving meticulous documentation and investigation by the author. First, a cultural mapping survey was conducted on shophouses in the Inner Harbor area. For case study purposes, the author focused on one street in the Inner Harbor—Rua de Cinco de Outubro. Location maps and field survey analysis tables of existing shophouses on this street were drawn, photos were taken for documentation, and current users (in 2022) were interviewed to understand the architectural history of each shophouse. Seven existing cases were recorded, providing information on their history, evolution, current uses, and preliminary preservation directions were discussed. This book specifically documents two valuable lost cases for readers to understand and share. It is hoped that this book will encourage more people to discover "the beauty of Macau," starting with the interesting topic of "shophouses," and inviting scholars from all fields to exchange and discuss.