Yangon limits height of buildings near Shwedagon
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Yangon region government said it will monitor proposals for constructions of tall buildings in downtown Yangon so that they are not taller than the holy Shwedagon Pagoda.
In doing so, officials will ensure that possible constructions are not taller than 526 feet, or about 160 metres, which is the total height of Shwedagon’s hill and structure. It aims not to block the view from the downtown area of Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most sacred structures for Buddhists around the world, the regional government reported.
There are 15 proposed buildings to be constructed up to 44 storeys in Yangon, according to a report by the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). The regional government will survey necessary data on the proposed sites and submit the report to the union government for evaluation and approval.
Those 15 sites have not been officially announced, but the 44-storey Shwe Gon tower and 21-storey Suhtoopan Tower on Bogyoke Aung San Road, the 38-storey 555 Building on Strand Road, and the 27-storey AMC tower near Hledan junction are among them.
YCDC has formed a supervising body to monitor and evaluate the construction of tall buildings since October last year.
Dr Kyaw Latt, prominent town planner, said, “In the past, the Shwedagon Pagoda could be viewed from most places in Yangon. However, the view has become blocked by tall buildings in some places. In 1990, the pagoda could be seen from Hantharwady Circle on U Wisara Road, but the view has been blocked by a tall building.”
Currently it is permissible to construct buildings only up to six storeys within a one-mile (1.6km) radius of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
