Myanmar urged to preserve urban heritage

“This ‘Hidden Pearl of Asia’ is in danger”, said Walter Koditek, an expert from the Urban Development Agency of Vietnamese Ministry of Construction.

During the workshop “Housing for People and Urban Heritage for All” held in Yangon on December 7, visiting archaeologists from eight Southeast Asian countries said the rapid development taking place in the country will put pressure on its urban heritage. 

“Rapid modernisation and economic development in Myanmar, like earlier instances in other countries in the region, will increasingly put pressure on urban land use for commercial purposes and investment, thus putting considerable strain on Yangon’s urban heritage,” Koditek said. 

The scholars also warned that Myanmar’s ancient buildings are in peril due to long neglect, and that they must be conserved in time.

“We are now making a list of ancient buildings in Yangon for the heritage inventory stock. Actually, urban heritage is not limited to ancient buildings; it includes skylines, city view and so on. There are many private and public buildings here that are of critical importance. We will record them and we’ll take necessary measures to preserve them. We have started our mission in Yangon, and we will move on to other cities,” said Hlaing Maw Oo, deputy director of the Department of Human Settlements and Housing Development.

Currently, a total of 189 buildings in Yangon have been listed in the Yangon government’s heritage inventory stock. 

The Myanmar government invited international scholars from Southeast Asian nations to share their expertise and knowledge on housing development and preservation of urban heritage. The scholars have urged Myanmar officials to adopt international standards. 

Seminars are being held in the country to educate authorities on balancing urban development with preserving urban heritage.