Public Services: Redefining the Government-Society Boundary

Abstract

Macao, like other cities in the region, has been pursuing a program of modernization with an emphasis on economic progress. However, the side effects of this process are apparent and are likely to worsen with Macao’s ongoing casino boom. The rapid development of the tourism and gaming sectors has led to increasing demand for public amenities and other social services. The current lack of sufficient public services can be attributed to the government’s lack of strategic planning for an integrated conservation and management framework, and the absence of enforceable guidelines for regulating social issues.