21世纪初，赌权开放，澳门经济腾飞，大型娱乐设施陆续落成，新建筑物比比皆是。这些华丽而又现代化的大型建筑多位于新发展区，如澳门半岛的新口岸区及皇朝区、南湾湖及西湾湖畔填海区、路氹新城区等。在大型建筑物耀目的霓虹灯背后，那些于19世纪中叶或更早已然发展的街巷弄里，却默默地步向破落。这些拥有深厚历史文化内涵的城区，其实仍然有旺盛的生命力，只要政府有适当的措施，再配合民间的努力，这些街区依然有其生存空间，同时亦可以成为载体，将本土历史文化继续传承下去。
At the beginning of the 21st century,with the opening up of gaming rights and Macau's economic boom,many large entertainment facilities were gradually completed,and new buildings were found everywhere.These gorgeous modern buildings were mostly located in the new development areas,such as the NAPE-Zone,Dynasty District,Nam Van Lake and Sai Van Lake reclamation area in the Macau Peninsula,the new Cotai city and so on.Behind the magnificent neon lights of the big buildings,the streets and alleys developed in the mid-19th century or earlier are quietly moving towards dilapidation.However,those parts of the city containing valuable,historical or cultural connotation actually still have a strong vitality.As long as the government implements appropriate measures,coupled with the efforts of the private sectors,these neighborhoods will retain their living space,while simultaneously becoming the stewards who continue to pass along the local history and culture.
