Walking in Macao

I look down from the window of my 29th floor apartment and below I see Macau’s typical urban density. The rooftops of apartment buildings are in varying degrees of repair: some rusting, some new, some have potted plants and halfhearted attempts at establishing small, green, private spaces. Sometimes, when there are fireworks displays at Macau Tower, occupants hold night-time picnics. On other occasions, the occupants slowly practise their tai chi or casual but systematic stretching and beating of their limbs and torso. Many rooftops have illegal structures that residents have built in order to create additional territory. Occupants claim extra space inch-by-inch; and these structures – cages on balconies or even additional building floors – may affect the integrity of the apartment building’s structure.

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