The Bachelor of Arts in Design program at the Faculty of Innovation and Design, specializing in "Interior Design" and "Site Design," conducted a "Machine Learning Task: Survey of the Historic Centre of Macao" on January 19th and 20th, 2026, led by Lecturer LEE Meng-Shun and Associate Professor Pan Chen (an alumnus).

Associate Professor Pan Chen assisted with the research, providing equipment and instruction to students on machine learning. The scope of the investigation was carefully selected based on Macao's community life, history, and cultural background, taking place in eight community public spaces. The colors of surrounding buildings in Macao's Historic Centre were recorded and extracted through photography to create a digital archive and comprehensive database. Simultaneously, questionnaires and exchanges were conducted to understand the facilities that need improvement in the current Historic Centre environment and the residents' aspirations.

Stepping outside the campus and putting the design into practice, the field study activity played a positive role in the City University of Macau's service to society and promotion of community development. This was not only an academic field study, but also a practical activity for community service, providing students with a rare opportunity for practical experience and demonstrating the close connection between school education and community development.

Student Reflection

"During the sketching and research activity organized by our faculty in the Historic Centre of Macao, we first clarified our tasks and objectives.

We started by taking on-site photos with a panoramic camera, capturing images every 10 meters. This allowed us to document the urban features of Macao in detail and gather sufficient on-site data for our subsequent planning. Then, we conducted an in-depth survey inside the Historic Centre of Macao, studying and photographing the architectural structures and materials of the old buildings. We also recorded the public facilities and layout of the area to understand the current design concept of the site.

At the same time, we used questionnaires to interview local Macao residents and first-time visitors about their impressions and experiences of the Historic Centre of Macao. We aimed to collect local residents' perceptual habits formed by long-term living here, as well as tourists' initial impressions and views of the site. This enabled us to gain a richer and more in-depth understanding of the area.

Moreover, the teachers' straightforward guidance helped us quickly identify the key issues of the site. Their standardized procedures allowed us to carry out the research in an organized and planned manner, which also helped our group clarify the division of labor and learn collaboratively in the group project".